Matt Nelson's basket with just under 15 seconds left lifted Xavier past Iowa City High, 37-36, Tuesday night in a Mississippi Valley Conference boys basketball game at Xavier.

Nelson scored off a pick-and-roll play that gave the Saints their first win of the season.

“A lot of teams don’t have two big post players,” explained Nelson. “We took advantage of our size and when they overplayed I was able to finish the play."

Xavier also took advantage of its size on the defensive end of the court, playing an aggressive 2-3 zone defense in the closing seconds that prevented City High from operating in the lane. The clock showed nine seconds remaining when City High’s Jerel Moore took the ball on the baseline and made his move to the basket only to be denied by excellent defense by Mack Mattke and Nelson.

“We prepared hard to use the 2-3 in this game,” said Xavier Coach Matt Jenkins.  “The guys bought into the zone and it paid off for us tonight.  I am really lucky to have a lot of coachable kids who just keep working hard and getting better.”

Carter Valentine and Mattke led the Saints (1-4, 1-1 MVC) with 10 points a piece. Iowa City’s pressure defense allowed Valentine to receive the ball, turn the corner, and get to the hoop.

“When they play you tight, you can sometimes get around them and you have a free way to the lane,” said Valentine.  “We took advantage of what they were giving us.”

The Little Hawks used their quickness and athleticism to put their points on the board. Moore led all scorers with 16 points.

“We tried to keep them out of the lane and take advantage of our size,” said Jenkins.  "Our guys just did a great job of being aggressive and battling for the ball all night. This is a tough league and all of our games have been close.  It is important that we have learned from each game.”

“It feels good to get a win under our belt, now we need to get on a roll,” said Mattke.

The Saints play at No. 1 Iowa City West on Friday.

IOWA CITY HIGH (36): A.Perry 3 0-0 7, Moore 7 2-5 16, Thompson 0 1-2 1, T.Perry 1 1-2 3, Barfield 1 1-1 3, Chester 0 0-1 0, Hein 1 0-0 2, Johnson 1 0-0 2, Washington 0 2-2 2, Young 0 0-0 0, Rouabhi 0 0-0 0  Totals 14  7-13 36.

XAVIER (37): Sampson 1 0-0 3, McDermott 1 0-0 3, Hosch 0 0-0 0, Valentine 5 0-2 10, Mattke 2 5-7 10, Clasen 2 2-4 6, Nelson 1 3-4 5, Ropp 0 0-0 0. Totals 12 10-17 37.

Halftime — Iowa City High 22 Xavier 19. 3-point goals — City High 1 (APerry 1)  Xavier 3 (Sampson 1, McDermott 1, Mattke 1). Fouled out -- None.