A fast-break dunk by senior John Slusher with under five minutes remaining Tuesday night at Hough briefly shifted momentum for the Huskies, who had trailed all night against conference rival Myers Park. But a late run by the Mustangs, capped by a breakaway dunk from junior Thomas Vickery, sealed the outcome.

Hough’s Slusher dunks late in the game | Photo by Max Gallagher

Hough fell 65-56, dropping to 15-7 overall and 5-3 in conference play and falling out of a three-way tie atop the Greater Charlotte 7A/8A Conference.

Myers Park built an early lead it never relinquished, powered late in the game by sophomore Rucker Jamison, who led all scorers with 20 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter. Turnovers and an inability to convert in the paint proved costly for Hough.

The Mustangs carried a 36-28 lead into halftime before Hough cut the deficit to four by the end of the third quarter.

Slusher’s breakaway dunk with just over 4:30 remaining pulled the Huskies within three, but Myers Park responded with a decisive run, highlighted by Vickery’s dunk minutes later.

Slusher led Hough with 19 points. Junior Tre Ratcliff added 13 and sophomore Jaylen Byers scored 10.

The Huskies close the regular season at home Wednesday against Garinger (4-13) before traveling to Hopewell (6-14) on Friday.