Sentinel photo by MIKE GOSS Mifflin County's Lucas Hartung and Carson Franklin battle for a rebound with Mechanicsburg's Jacob Eager.

LEWISTOWN — Mifflin County boys basketball dropped a tough battle at home to Mechanicsburg on Thursday night, falling 57-54.

It was an emotional back-and-forth battle between two Mid-Penn rivals, with the Wildcats getting a key stop in the final seconds to hold off a Mifflin County surge to get the win.

Junior Luke Bender led the way for the Huskies with a strong 17-point performance. Fellow junior Carson Franklin added 16.

The Huskies fell to 6-6 on the year with the loss. They welcome Milton Hershey to the Dawg Pound on Tuesday.

The JV Huskies took down the Wildcats in a defensive battle, winning 37-33.

Sophomore Dylan Bonson led the way with 21 points.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Juniata tops UDA, 53-39

MIFFLINTOWN — Juniata got 15 points from Lindsea Gilson and the Indians topped Upper Dauphin on Thursday, 53-39.

Mylee Landis added 11 points for the winners and Gabby Reed tacked on eight.

For UDA, Paige Williams had 16 points and Delaney Smeltz had eight.

UDA posted six three-pointers.

EJ bests Indians, 35-20

MILLERSBURG — East Juniata defeated Millersburg, 35-20, in girls hoops on Thursday.

Center Landyn Cramer corralled 18 points and Madison Snyder added 11.

EJ made three shots from downtown. Millersburg also had three.

Kenodie Miller had nine points for the Indians.

9th grade basketball

Huskies drop Wildcats, 46-16

LEWISTOWN — Mifflin County girls 9th grade basketball team beat Mechanicsburg on Thursday night, 46-16.

Jemma Kanagy had 27 points in the win and Bella Yoder had 11.

The Huskies play today at Shippensburg.