CICERO, Ill. --- When it comes to intense, hard-fought men's basketball rivalries, the one between Prairie State College and Morton College is amongst the most entertaining that the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference has to offer.
 
Tuesday night's first installment of the local hardwood feud for 2021-2022, as always, did not disappoint.  Not in the least bit.
 
 When the dust had settled following another showdown between the two league foes, it was the Pioneers who were left standing tall in the wake of a 73-67 victory at the newly-remodeled Vais Gym.
 
The win pushed PSC (7-9, 3-1) one step closer to completing its climb out of a substantial hole that it had dug itself to begin the season.
 
Prairie State saw four scorers tally in double figures.
 
Setting the pace for the Pioneers was freshman forward Morgan Rashed (Bella Vista H.S., Italy).  The 6-foot-7 Rashed led all scorers with a game-high 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field.  For Rashed, who is averaging 15.3 points per game, Tuesday's performance marked his seventh twin-digit scoring output of the campaign.
 
While Rashed made major contributions on the offensive side, it was fellow freshman forward and countryman Christian Barbieri (Harris Academy St. John's Wood, England) who delivered the game's most well-rounded effort.
 
The 6-foot-5 native of Milan, Italy turned in an 11-point outing, courtesy of a 5-of-8 shooting effort from the floor.  He also made his presence heavily felt on the defensive side as well, pulling down nine rebounds (7 defensive). 
 
Barbieri's nine boards marked a career high.
 
Sophomore shooting guard Will Mendez (Mount Carmel H.S.) knocked down a trio of three pointers en route to a 13-point effort.  The 6-foot Mendez also secured five rebounds and handed out a quartet of assists. 
 
Sophomore point guard Humza Robinson (Downey Christian H.S., Florida) delivered a strong showing as well.  The 5-foot-9 Robinson came off the bench to contribute a 10-point, six-rebound, five-assist outing.
 
Sophomore forward Jaylin Brown (Lakeview H.S.) and freshman guard Jacques Eugene (Nova H.S., Florida) both contributed eight-point showings. 
 
Freshman point guard Jeremiah Johnson (Bloom H.S.) added six points and handed out three assists.
 
 
Prairie State trailed 30-26 at the intermission before going on to outscore the Panthers 47-37 over the contest's final 20 minutes.
 
The Pioneers will travel to Sugar Grove Thursday for a road date with Skyway counterpart Waubonsee (6 p.m.).