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MANCELONA - Two days after a 63-50 victory at Forest Area, the Mancelona boys basketball team saw its unbeaten streak in the Ski Valley Conference snapped at five straight games with a 46-40 loss to Gaylord St. Mary.

Surviving a late comeback attempt by the Warriors thanks largely to its superior rebounding and free throw shooting, the Ironmen remained tied for first place in the league with Bellaire.

But then the Snowbirds proved exceedingly rude visitors last Thursday night, sending the Ironmen tumbling from their perch at the top of the league.

The Eagles soared into sole possession of the conference lead when they dusted off Pellston, 69-51, to improve their league record to 6-0.

Mancelona slipped down to second at 5-1, while Forest Area (which bounced back from last Tuesday's loss to the Ironmen with a 64-50 win at Onaway) and St. Mary are tied for third with identical 4-2 records. St. Mary built a 13-point lead at the end of the third quarter, but the Ironmen made a strong fourth-quarter charge that almost proved successful.

Almost, however, never is enough.

Greg Blanco triggered the Ironmen with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists. Tony Derrer contributed 12 points and 7 rebounds.

Forest Area kept close througout the first half last Tuesday night. The score was tied three times before the Warriors took a 16-15 lead at the end of the first period.

The Ironmen outscored the Warriors, 11-4 in the second quarter to open up a 7point lead, 26-19 at the half.

Mancelona extended its advantage to 13 points, 40-27 entering the fourth quarter with a 14-8 scoring edge in the third.

But, the Warriors came back to trim Mancelona's lead to eight points, 56-48 with 55.2 seconds left.

Never flinching, the Ironmen sank 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to pull away. Mancelona shot 22-of-36 from the free throw line for the game.

Steve Sheridan led the way for Mancelona with 17 points. Blanco and Adam Duerksen scored 14 each.