Iowa City High pulled off a mild upset Thursday night when it downed Xavier, 55-50, in a boys basketball regular season finale at Ron Thillen Gymnasium.

Iowa City High (8-13, 4-12 MVC) had three players score in double figures. Lonnie Chester had 15 points, Torry Perry 13, and Ladarius Taylor chipped in with 11.

“Our team had a lot of energy and effort," said Chester. " We played hard.  Gave great effort.”

City High led by one point at the quarter. The battle was tied at half, and the Little Hawks led by two points entering the final stanza.

Xavier (10-11, 6-10) was paced by floor leader Trey Sampson, who scored 15 points, including three 3-pointers. Matt Nelson controlled the pivot and scored 12. He also led a good defensive effort.

With the solid defensive fundamentals on show by both teams, free throw shooting was at a premium.  The Saints converted on 4 of 5, City High hit 6 of 8.

“We have been so close so often this season and I wanted to control the tempo and, though we have some very athletic players, shooting has not been very good at times,” City High Coach Don Showalter.

Chester added, “We are getting better!  As a senior, I want to put it all together and we are all trying to put it all together,”  said Chester, who also had 12 assists.

City High opens substate play Monday at Prairie. The Little Hawks beat the Hawks in double overtime earlier this season.

Xavier hosts Clinton in a substate game Monday.

IOWA CITY HIGH (55): Andy Hein 2 1-2 6, Hugh Ritter 0 0-0 0, Ladarius Taylor 4 0-1 11, Malin Craig 1 2-2 4, Lonnie Chester 6 3-3 15, Cameron Spears 1 0-0 2, Luke Posivio 2 0-0 4, Torry Perry 6 0-0 13, Ryan Young 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 6-8 55.

XAVIER (50): Calvin Winker 2 0-0 4, Trey Sampson 5 2-2 15, Adam McDermott 2 2-2 8, Greg Foxhoven 1 0-1 2, Matt Nelson 6 0-0 12, Corbin Woods 4 0-0 9, Andrew Bisenius 0 0-0 0, Reggie Schulte 0 0-0 0, Robbie Thinnes 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 4-5 50.

Halftime - Xavier 26, City High 26. 3-point goals - City High 5 (Taylor 3, Perry 1, Hein 1), Xavier 6 (Sampson 3, Woods 1, McDermott 2).