The Panola men’s basketball team defeated the 25th ranked Blinn College, 91-78. The victory raises their record to 12-3 and 3-1 in Region XIV play. “Our players came out and played an unbelievable second half. They made some great adjustments and were completely locked in after halftime.” Head Coach Grant McMillan stated. “It was another team win. With a 17 day break between practices our guys ended the semester the right way.” He added.

 

Both teams battled throughout the first half which  eventually saw Blinn take a 43-38 halftime lead. Panola started the second half with a 7-0 run to take a 45-43 lead. Using salty defense and steady offense, the Ponies gradually pulled away to take a 13 points lead with just under 4:00 minutes remaining in the ball game. Panola only gave up 35 second half points.

 

Offensively, Panola was led by five separate players who scored in double figures. Tope Arikawe (Nigeria) led the way with 17 points. Tyonte Robertson (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Jonathan Wiley (Houston) both tallied 16 points. Devyn Wilson (Brooklyn, New York) and Terry Holt (Nashville, Tennessee) scored 12 and 10 points, respectively. Charles Tucker (Lansing, Michigan) dished out 13 assists in the victory. As a team, Panola went 8 for 16 from the three point line and shot 51 percent from the field for the game.

 

Panola well next be in action on January 2nd when they hit the road to take on San Jacinto College. Tip-off is set for 4:00 PM on the campus of San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas.