The Washington boys basketball team led by a point at halftime, but struggled in the third quarter and suffered a 53-45 loss to Waterloo East in a Mississippi Valley Conference game Tuesday at Washington.

Keion Wills scored 15 points for the Warriors (5-9), who led 26-25 at halftime. The Trojans took control with a 17-9 run in the third quarter.

Hunter Strait added 12 points for Washington.

Isaiah Wade scored 18 points for Waterloo East (7-7).

WATERLOO EAST (53): Clark 4 1-1 9, Gafeney 2 4-5 8, Reed 0 0-0 0, Sanders 1 0-0 3, Phillips 0 0-0 0, Matlock 4 2-3 11, Wade 7 4-8 18. Totals 20 11-17 53.

WASHINGTON (45): Wills 5 3-5 15, Strait 6 0-0 12, Dawson 0 0-0 0, Bennett 0 2-2 2, Hobbs 1 0-2 2, Thomas 2 1-1 5, Williams 4 1-4 9, Potter 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 7-16 45.

Halftime – Washington 26, Waterloo East 25. 3-point goals – Waterloo East 2 (Sanders, Matlock), Washington 2 (Wills 2).