CLAYTON, MO – With two new teams being added to the SLIAC this year, the Principia Men's Basketball team started their conference slate before the New Year for the first time since the 2019-20 season. The Panthers headed down to St. Louis on Saturday to take on defending SLIAC champion Fontbonne University. Despite being down two starters due to injury, Principia fought valiantly throughout the game and gave the Griffins fits throughout. After being down 8 at the half, the Panthers would mount a comeback and tie the game at 49-49 with 9:25 remaining. From there, Fontbonne would go on a 19-6 run to put the game out of reach and send the Panthers home with a 68-62 loss.
The Panthers came out of the gates ready to play, taking an early 8-4 lead on a floater from Isaiah Parker. Fontbonne would make a run after this early Principia advantage, and eventually push their lead to 28-17 with 3:29 remaining in the first half. A three pointer by Shemarri Miles would stem the tide and get the Panthers within 8, which would be the difference at halftime as Fontbonne went into the break with a 32-24 advantage.
The second half started the way of the Griffins as they went on a quick 5-0 run to extend their lead to 13. Principia would chip away over the next 8 minutes as AJ Byrd asserted himself for the Panthers. Byrd is in his third game back after missing over a year and a half due to various injuries, and he was finally able to show his old form on the court. Byrd would make back-to-back three pointers to tie the game at 49 apiece with 9:25 remaining. Unfortunately, Fontbonne then got hot and Principia went cold from the perimeter, as the Griffins took control of the game. Despite a final push from the Panthers, they would fall 68-62.
Good to Know: Senior AJ Byrd had a dynamite game for the Panthers, as he led Principia with 22 points. The Panthers had four guys in double figures, with Isaiah Parker, Bobby Alford, and Shemarri Miles contributing 13, 12, and 10 points respectively.
Up Next: Principia has a three game SLIAC homestand coming up, which will be crucial as they look to protect home court in conference play. Their next game is against MUW on Thursday at 7:30 pm. Come pack the stands and support your Panthers as they look to even their record in the SLIAC.
