After 16 days without playing a basketball game, most teams find it hard to get back into a rhythm when they return to action.

That was pretty much the case for the North Moore boys’ basketball team when it entertained Faith Christian Thursday in their return to court action after not playing in more than two weeks.

After holding only a 10-9 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Mustangs unleashed their full-court pressure defense, creating 13 turnovers in the second period.

Coupled with the extra possessions, along with the long-range shooting of sophomore Matthew Spivey, who made three of his five treys, North Moore outscored the visiting Eagles 20-7 during the crucial frame en route to a 67-46 victory.

“We came out a little rusty in the first period,” said North Moore coach Grant Smith. “So we challenged them to pick it up in the second quarter and they responded well. To create 13 turnovers is playing good defense and that’s what we preach constantly. Our defense was the difference and we also rebounded well.

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do and we have to stay focused and get more physical when we play East Montgomery in our next conference game.”

Faith Christian, 1-10 record, plays in the NCCSA AA District and is located in Ramseur. North Moore is currently 2-3 in Yadkin Valley Conference action and 5-6 overall.

Before the Mustangs get back into conference action, they host cross-county rival O’Neal in a nonconference game Monday. North Moore won the first meeting at O’Neal 63-50 back in December.

The Mustangs entertain East Montgomery the following night with the girls’ games starting at 6 p.m. both nights followed by the boys’ contests.

Senior Landon Auman paced the Mustangs in the first quarter, scoring four of his game-high 16 points. With the Mustangs coming up with turnovers in the second period, the Mustangs raced to a 30-16 lead at the break, with Spivey tallying nine points, all on treys, during the second quarter.

The Eagles came out a little more aggressive in the third period and matched the Mustangs’ scoring with 14 points for each team. Auman added six of his points during the third period.

“We let down a little in the third period and they (Faith Christian) took advantage and were able to match our scoring,” said Smith. “We once again had to challenge the players in the huddle before the fourth period and they responded.”

The pace picked up for both teams as the Mustangs added 23 points in the fourth period and the Eagles had their highest output with 16 points during the period. Junior Quashan Davis had nine of his 14 points in the fourth quarter.

The 67 points the Mustangs scored during the game is their second highest point total for the season behind the 73 points scored against South Stanly on Dec. 4.

The Mustangs had eight players to score during the contest, headed up by Auman’s 16 points followed by Spivey with 15 points, all from beyond the arc.

Davis added 14 points and had eight rebounds, followed by junior Malik Chisholm with nine points, freshman Aaron Richardson with five points, senior Denzel Herron four, junior Austin Hunsucker two and fellow junior Tristan Britt two. Senior point guard Adam Bullard handed out six assists and Herron came up with five steals for the Mustangs.

Faith Christian was led by junior Levi Joyce with 13 points, while fellow juniors Kendrick Trogdon and Austin Stout added nine points each.