Box Score ELSAH--For the first time in 12 years the Panthers are headed to Conference Tournament. The Panthers clinched the birth by taking down Westminster 72-67 in front of a raucous home crowd. The victory also came on Senior Day as
Justin Ball and
Adaku Anumu played in the final home game of their storied careers. The Panthers ended the conference schedule by winning seven out of eight to clinch the post-season spot.
Westminster jumped out to an early lead on the Panthers to start the game. At the 14:41 mark the Blue Jays had given themselves a five-point cushion, holding an 11-6 lead. Sophomore
Micah Paulson got a bucket to get the lead to three and on the next possession Anumu knocked down a transition three-pointer and the game was tied at 11-11.
After tying the game the Panthers began to build a lead. Paulson scored on back-to-back buckets followed by a layup from Davidson. Junior
Jeff Ross then scored on a drive to the basket getting fouled in the process. Ross hit the free throw and the Panthers were up seven with 8:30 left in the first. Right before the Panthers went on a run and with four minutes left in the half Anumu soared across the paint dropping a bucket and nabbing his 1,000
th career point. It was remarkable accomplishment in just two years with the team.
The lead held steady from that point until the three minute mark when the Panthers went on a 10-3 run to close out the half which was capped by a huge three-pointer from freshman
Jamie McFarlane. The Panthers went to the break up 42-28.
The Panthers and Jays battled evenly as the second half started. The Panthers were able to maintain their double-digit lead as the teams mostly traded buckets. The Panthers scoring came from all over as Anumu, Paulson, Goodman, and Ball all converted. With 11:17 to go Ball hit a pair of free throws to push the lead to 15.
Westminster wouldn't go away though and with 4:10 left they got the lead under double digits to eight. They kept fighting and at the 1:43 mark cut the deficit to just four, 66-62. The Panthers went to Goodman on the next possession and he came through drawing a foul and knocking in two free throws to make the lead six. The Panthers then forced a stop and Goodman hit one of two free tosses. Goodman got another layup on the next possession and Paulson hit two free throws to ice it.
The win capped an incredible run to the tournament and was a complete team victory. Paulson led the way with 17 points and 7 boards. Ball had 15 points and 9 boards. Anumu had 12 and Davidson grabbed 11 rebounds as well.
Up next the Panthers travel to Greenville, IL to take on Greenville College in the opening round of the conference tournament. The game is set for 8:00 pm.
