Box Score ELSAH--The Panthers took down Fontbonne University tonight 78-69. Despite trailing in the second half by 10 points the Panthers hung tough eventually going on an explosive run late to seal the victory. The Panthers moved their conference record to 8-7 with the win.
Â
The first bucket of the game for the Panthers came from senior
Justin Ball, who went to work in the paint and converted on the opposing teams big man. The Panthers extended their lead to four at the 16:25 point when freshman TreVaghn Goodman and sophomore Micah Pualson converted on back-to-back transition buckets.
Â
Over the next twelve minutes the teams traded baskets and no team was able to build a lead of more than three points. During that stretch the Panthers got contributions from all over the team including some nice play from the bench. The Panthers were finally able to get a four point lead when senior
Adaku Anumu hit back-to-back three balls at the 2:14 mark which ignited a large Panther crowd. The half ended with the Panthers up 35-31.
Â
The team jumped out to a seven-point lead after the second half started on a corner deep ball from Anumu and nifty finish in the lane from Paulson. Fontbonne battled back after the Panthers built their lead and eventually tied it with 12:14 left to play. Over the next two minutes the Griffins went on a 10-0 run giving them a 61-51 lead. The Panthers then answered back in dramatic fashion going on a 14-0 run to regain control of the lead and the game. Paulson supplied most of the firepower hitting two deep balls and a tough layup during the run.
Â
The Panthers built on the momentum from the run and extended the lead to nine with 3:01 left after Goodman converted in the paint. The Panthers got free throws down the stretch from Goodman and Paulson to clinch the victory.
Â
Paulson had a fantastic all around game scoring 23 points while grabbing 6 rebounds and handing out 5 assists. Ball had another great game with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Davidson led the way on the glass with 14 boards and he also had 4 thefts.
Â
Up next the Panthers travel to MacMurray on Saturday to take on the Highlanders.Â
Â
