Pride of Iowa Conference basketball consists of hard fought physical match ups and Friday night in Pleasantville was no exception as Martensdale-St. Mary’s scored a hotly contested 53-52 win over the Trojans. The Blue Devils led for most of the first half but by no more than their halftime advantage of five points at 25-20. In the second half Martensdale-St. Mary’s opened up a 10 point advantage before the Trojans put together a 10-2 run that ended with a Hunter VanHaalan steal and dunk to bring Pleasantville back within two. The Blue Devils would again push their lead to double digits only to see the Trojans climb back and take a slim 52-51 lead with one minute remaining in a see-saw fourth frame. Blue Devil reserve Eddy Kraber was fouled on an over the back call with 45 second left and hit both free throws to give Martensdale-St. Mary’s a lead they would not relinquish. Pleasantville had three chances with the ball in the last 30 seconds to regain the lead, the last was a Bobby Beier turn around and a Collin Thomas tip with one second remaining that would not fall. With the loss Pleasantville now stands at 2-2 overall and 2-1 in the Pride of Iowa Conference.