Fans at Thursday's league challenge between the Merrill Vandals (Merrill, MI) and the visiting Montabella Mustangs (Blanchard, MI), saw Merrill's basketball squad hold off Montabella by a tally of 46-43.

With the victory, Merrill improves its record to 4-5 on the campaign. The Vandals travel to Michigan Lutheran Seminary (Saginaw, MI) to confront the Cardinals in a non-league challenge on Monday, January 15. The Cardinals come into the challenge with a record of 5-1. Michigan Lutheran Seminary lost 51-24 in their recent league challenge against St. Louis (St. Louis, MI)

Next up, the Mustangs confront the Coleman Comets (Coleman, MI) in a Mid-State challenge, on Monday, January 15. Montabella will attempt to improve on its 2-5 season record. The Comets come into the challenge with a 1-6 record after their 54-26 league win over Carson City-Crystal (Carson City, MI).