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Hyrum • Relax.

Sky View coach Kirk Hillyard's message was concrete. The Bobcats played a mechanical first half, robotically moving through the motions rather than playing fluidly.

"Just play and let the flow come to them," Hillyard said. "We weren't taking care of the ball really well."

The memo resonated. The Bobcats calmly swung the offense around the world, exposing Mountain Crest's defensive zone. The newfound freedom created ample opportunities from the perimeter, powering the 'Cats to a crucial 52-46 Region 5 win Wednesday night.

"We've had our share of close games," Hillyard said at Mountain Crest. "It was finally nice to eke one out. We lost to Box Elder and Roy, our close games like that, so it's nice to come out on top."

Mountain Crest grabbed an early 15-8 lead behind consecutive triples by Tommy Albrechtsen and Jalen Tiev. But Sky View's Bryce Mortenson bailed Sky View out by muscling in a layup with contact for a three-point play and momentum heading into the lockers, only trailing 21-17.

Scoreless in the first half, Sky View's sharpshooter Jake Hendricks accepted a new role as a distributor.

After banking in a floater off the glass on the opening possession in the third quarter, Hendricks found Riley Panter hibernating on the perimeter for eight quick points and a 27-22 advantage, Sky View's first lead since 6-4.

"I decided I needed to do whatever I could to get some shots off," said Panter, who finished with a team-best 15 points.

Added Hillyard of Panter: "In the second half, he let it come to him and hit some really big shots for us down the stretch."

The Mustangs responded with an 8-2 run in the fourth quarter spearheaded by consecutive three-point plays from Jaxon Brenchley — his first points of the game — and Jon Huff (who had a game-high 16 points) to furnish the Mustangs' lead to 40-35 with 5:16 remaining.

"He got going to the basket," Hillyard said of Brenchley, who was limited to seven points after entering as the Mustangs' leading scorer at better than 17 points per game. "I felt he got a few calls in the second half that I didn't feel were fouls. He's a great player, and he gets to the rim."

Behind four missed free throws, a turnover on an inbounds pass, a defensive meltdown and a second-chance rebound that lead to a foul, Mountain Crest relinquished its five-point cushion.

"When we get down," Panter said, "we keep grinding."

After Tyler Downs' putback, Austin Jeppson flipped the scoreboard to give Sky View the five-point lead with two freebies. But much like the Mustangs, Sky View's costly turnover on an inbounds pass allowed the game to remain in contention.

On the ensuing possession, with 10.9 seconds left, Brenchley swished a 3 to slice the deficit to 47-46. Hendricks hit one of two free throws after the desperation foul before Mortenson corralled the offensive rebound, icing the game from the line.

Twitter: @trevorphibbs —

Sky View 52, Mountain Crest 46

R 'Cats work the perimeter to expose the Mustangs' zone.

• Riley Panter leads Sky View with 15 points.

• Jon Huff scores 16 for Mountain Crest.