CHANUTE, Kan. – A sluggish start couldn't hold down Neosho as they pulled away for a convincing 97-81 win over Arkansas Baptist College to extend their win streak to three straight after suffering their first loss.
 
The Panthers (6-1, 0-0 KJCCC) started off slow against the Buffaloes (4-6, 0-0) and trailed for most of the first 10 minutes of the first half. Neosho head coach Jeremy Coombs used three timeouts over that stretch looking to get his team back on track.
 
Following the media timeout in the first half Neosho went on a 10-2 run to take a 9 point lead BJ Jenkins sparking the run on both ends of the floor.
 
The Panthers took a 50-43 lead into the lockers at halftime. The Buffaloes struggled to contain Jenkins and Baylor bound Joseph Acuil. Jenkins scored 20 points on 7-8 shooting and added 3 assists in the half while Acuil chipped in 14 points.
 
Neosho came out on fire to start the second half, opening the period on a 21-3 run over the first 5 minutes. The Panthers would maintain a comfortable lead over the final 15 minutes. Arkansas Baptist's Latron Thomas basket with less than a minute pulled them to within 16, the closest they had been since the 18 minute mark of the half.
 
Acuil poured it on in the second half, finishing with a career high 33 points and added 7 rebounds and 7 blocks. Jenkins finished with 22 points on the night and did not attempt a field goal in the second half but finished with a game high 6 assists. Brett Frantz added 5 assists and Jackson Perez dished out 4 of the Panthers 24 assists.
 
The Panthers will travel to Dodge City over the weekend for the Pizza Hut Classic. They will open against prep school power Sunrise Christian Academy at 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Saturday the Panthers will square off in a non-conference game against Jayhawk East foe Kansas City Kansas at 3:00pm. Both games will be streamed live and can be accessed on the Pizza Hut Classic homepage.