The Lyle-Pacelli boys basketball team continues to show progress, but it’s not all the way there yet.

The Athletics held a second half lead against Mabel-Canton, but turnovers and four trouble caught up to LP in a 75-63 loss in Pacelli Gym Friday.

LP (1-4 overall, 1-3 SEC) led 48-44 early in the second half, but the Cougars (4-1 overall, 3-1 SEC) turned up the defensive pressure and put together a 9-2 run to take their first lead of the second half.

LP finished with 27 turnovers in the loss.

“The way Mabel-Canton played tonight forced us to play faster than we want to,” LP head coach Dean DeBoer said. “We have to learn that when you break the press, it’s okay to slow it down and run the offense.”

MC pulled away late in the game when LP’s Jordan Hart, who had 18 points and three steals, and Brennan Rius, who had eight points, five rebounds and three blocks, each fouled out. LP’s Braden Kocer, who finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and five assists finished the game with four fouls and he also missed a lot of time.

“On defense we’ve got to start moving our feet and stop reaching. When you don’t have a lot of guys, you have to be smart on defense,” Hart said. “We’re getting better each game and each practice. When we meet these guys again, we’ll be way better.”

LP’s players are still getting accustomed to each other as the team plays a lot of younger players big minutes. DeBoer said the squad is showing signs of improvement.

“This is a young group. We play four sophomores a ton and we bring a freshman in off the bench,” DeBoer said. “They have to play a lot of basketball and I think it’s good for them. They’re getting to know each other on and off the floor.”

MC opened the game on a 10-2 run, but LP battled back and it took a 32-19 lead into the half.

MC 29 46 — 75

LP 32 31 — 63

LP scoring: Jordan Hart, 18; Braden Kocer, 10; Brennen Ruis, 9; Mark Manyuon, 8; Noah Jiskra, 7; Jordan Cotter, 6; Matt Diang, 4; free throws: 63 percent (15-for-24); rebounds: 37 (Kocer, 9); turnovers: 27