Box Score Photo Gallery

CHANUTE, Kan. – Three Panthers scored in double figures as the Neosho County women battled back from a 15 point first half deficit to win their Jayhawk Conference opener 76-72 over Independence Community College.
 
The Pirates came out on fire from the field over the first 10 minutes connecting on 71% of their field goal attempts while opening up a 26-15 lead. The Panthers would pull back within 6 following a three from Jaycee Fourkiller and a layup by Ashley Grant.
 
Independence would then go on a 13-4 run to open up a 15 point lead with less than 5 minutes remaining in the half. The Panthers would once again get the lead back to 6 after a basket from Madigan Gonzales and threes from Dena English and Danel Stithem. A late free throw from Independence made the score 40-33 at the break.
 
Neosho County would continue to fight back at the start of the second half when Ashley Grant scored six of the Panthers first 8 points to give them the lead for the first time since they led 2-0 to open the ballgame.
 
The Pirates would regain the lead but the rest of the second half would be a back and forth affair that saw 8 lead changes and 4 ties. The Panthers would finally grab the lead for good with back to back baskets from Dena English with 3:56 to go. English would put the game away for the Panthers with a pair of free throws with 29 second remaining after Independence had pulled back within 2.
 
English tied her career high in the ball game with 18 points and 6 rebounds while also dishing out 4 assists. The Panthers leading scorer Ashley Grant just missed another double-double as she finished with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Jaycee Fourkiller also had 10 points to reach double figures for the fourth time this season.
 
The Panthers improve to 9-10 overall and 1-0 in conference play. It is the second consecutive season Neosho County has defeated Independence in their conference opener. Neosho County will now have a week to prepare before they host Labette Community College on January 22 on "Back in Black" and Academic Awards night. The first 100 fans and 50 students in attendance will receive a free "Back in Black" t-shirt, and fans are encouraged to wear black to the game.