RALEIGH -- Middle Creek withstood a third quarter Sanderson surge Wednesday to remain undefeated and walk away with a 52-47 nonconference win.

The Mustangs came out firing from outside, distancing themselves early on from host Sanderson, and used defensive pressure in the second quarter to capitalize off Sanderson turnovers and take a 28-20 lead into the half.

The start pleased Middle Creek coach David Kushner, who saw his team struggle from beyond the arc the night before in its Tri-9 opener against Fuquay-Varina and had been preaching the importance of picking up the defensive intensity.

“They’re finally realizing that (the defense) is extremely important,” Kushner said. “That’s been our calling card – our pressure defense.”

Middle Creek (4-0) began the second half with the same intensity, forcing two straight Spartan turnovers before Sanderson (2-2) was able to regroup.

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Middle Creek boys’ basketball tops Sanderson