JERICHO CENTER —- The Mt. Mansfield Cougars roared out to a 35-13 halftime lead and cruised past the Essex Hornets 73-35 in Northfield Savings Bank Rivalry Series action on Tuesday night in the MMU Gym.

Keyed by the play of Asa Carlson (6 first quarter points) and Zach Reinhardt (8 second quarter points and 9 more in the third), the Cougars never trailed and got points from 10 different players in beating their Route 15 rivals for the second time this season.

Reinhardt led the winners with 17 points, Tyler Muttilainen added 13, Carlson chipped in 9, Trent LaBounty contributed 8, and Becket Hill came off the bench to toss in 7 more in the victory.

Hunter Smith led all scorers with 18 for the Hornets.

With the win MMU improves to 11-3. Essex slips to 3-12.