Box Score Elsah, IL--- With 18 seconds left the Panthers were down 1. They turned to one of their senior captains, and he delivered. Coming off a high screen
Adaku Anumu knocked down an off balance 3-pointer to hit the game winning shot and help seal a come from behind 78-76 victory.
Anumu started off the game the way he ended it hitting a 3-pointer. Junior
Parker Davidson hit a 3-pointer himself on the next possession and then because if some is good, more is better, Anumu hit another one and the Panthers jumped out to an early 9-3 lead.
After the early run MacMurray battled back over the next six minutes going on a 14-3 run of their own and taking a 4 point lead at the 11:54 mark. The run was keyed by the offensive rebounding by the Highlanders.
TreVaughn Goodman brought his usual energy off the bench to help get the Panthers on track scoring on back-to-back buckets and helping the Panthers close the gap. The Panthers momentarily took the lead but couldn't get on top for long and after a long 3-pointer at the buzzer by MacMurray the Panthers were trailing 37-30 at the break.
MacMurray jumped on the Panthers to start the second half and after three minutes had extended their lead to 12 points on the back of their star Brett Long. The Panthers attempted to claw back in on a couple of three-pointers but could not seem to significantly cut into the lead.
The Panthers finally started to break through on a barrage of 3-pointers by Anumu and a critical 3-pointer from Davidson and with 8:36 left the lead was down to 2 points. MacMurray was able to maintain a small lead until four minutes later when
Micah Paulson hit one from distance to tie the game at 72 a piece.
The tie was broken a minute a later when Davidson picked up an offensive rebound and converted on a bucket and got fouled. The "and 1" ignited the gym and gave the Panthers a crucial three point lead. MacMurray came down and hit two free throws to cut the lead by 1. After that they came down on the next possession and hit two more to take the lead. That is when Anumu came down and hit his go ahead three. It was incredible comeback from being down 14 in the second half.
Anumu led the team with 24 points. Davidson had 22 to go along with 6 boards. Paulson played great from the lead guard spots dishing out a season high 9 assists.
Up next the Panthers take on Greenville on Saturday. Inclement weather is a possibility so stay tuned to the Panthers website and social media accounts for updates.
