Box Score CHANUTE, Kan. – The Neosho County Panthers came out cold to open the ballgame against Labette Wednesday (Jan. 22) evening, and the Cardinals raced to a large lead that the Panthers could not overcome, as they fell 81-61.
 
For most of the first half the Panthers struggled to score the basketball against an active Labette defense that forced them into 17 turnovers in the opening period. The Cardinals held Neosho County scoreless for more than five minutes early in the half in the midst of a 35-6 run that lasted more than 10 minutes.
 
"That's just bad coaching," commented head coach JJ Davis. "I didn't have us ready to play. I have to give Labette credit, they were much better than I thought they would be. Their press sped us up and their bigs inside were much better than I gave them credit for coming in."
 
The Panthers were held to just 21% from the floor in the opening period and just 1 of 9 from behind the three point line.
 
"Things just snowballed after we struggled early. We turned it over and missed some good looks early and could never really get settled back down in the first half," added Davis.
 
In the second half the Panthers settled down and looked much more like the team fans have become accustomed to this season. Neosho County held Labette to just 23% shooting in the second half.
 
"I was pleased with the effort and fight the girls showed in the second half. We took care of the ball better in the second half and got some stops. When we got it down to 15 or 16 if we could have just gotten another stop or two with a couple baskets who knows how Labette responds at that point.
 
The Panthers battled in the second half and went on a 35-14 run to make the score 74-59, but the Cardinals wouldn't let the Panthers get any closer.
 
Ashley Grant finished with her third double-double of the season with 32 points and 13 rebounds in the loss. Grant scored 26 of her points in the second half and went 16 of 22 from the line. Danel Stithem was the only other Panther in double figures with 11 points. Madigan Gonzales grabbed 10 rebounds in the loss.
 
The Panthers fall to 9-11 overall and 1-1 in Jayhawk Conference action. Their next action will be Saturday (Jan. 25) when they host rival Allen Community College at 5:30. 

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