South Burlington — Ben Shungu scored 35 points and the Rice Green Knights handed the Burlington High Seahorses their first loss of the season, topping BHS 58-55 on Thursday night on Bernie Cieplicki Court.

Burlington used an 11-0 first quarter run to jump out early and led throughout the first half. Kevin Garrison scored seven points and Asmin Mostarlic added six as the Seahorses built a 19-14 lead after the first quarter. Five points each from Mostarlic and Kaden Rosamilia allowed them to take a two point lead into the break at halftime. Shungu kept Rice in the game scoring 21 points in the first sixteen minutes, despite leaving late in the second quarter after picking up his third personal foul.

Rice tied the game twice early in the third quarter, only to see Burlington build their lead back to four each time. But then down 46-42 the Green Knights went on a decisive 11-0 run spanning the end of the third and the beginning of the fourth quarter to take a 53-46 lead. Jojo Mbayu keyed the run with a pair of hoops including a huge three. BHS mounted a fourth quarter run, riding eight points from Mostarlic to cut the margin to as close as a point, but the Green Knights got four free throws from Shungu down the stretch to seal the victory.

Shungu’s 35 led the Rice attack. Mostarlic finished with 19, Garrison with 11 and Josh Hale with ten for Burlington.

With the win Rice is 8-2. BHS falls to 9-1.