CHANUTE, KS – The Neosho Men's Basketball team won their Kansas Jayhawk Conference opener on Wednesday night against Colby Community College. The Panthers trailed by 19 pts. at halftime, but made a big push in the second half to come back and win in their first conference game of the season 80-76. "I'm very proud of our guys for their effort and willingness to stick together as a team," said Panther Head Coach Jeremy Coombs. "Teams in that situation have two choices. They can fold up or stick together and fight back. I thought we did a fantastic job sticking together and chipping away at Colby's lead."
 
The Colby Trojans led 46-27 as the teams went into the locker room at halftime, but the Panthers would not go away.  The Panthers chipped away at Colby's lead while holding the Trojans to just 30 points and only nine made field goals. Panthers took the lead with just over two minutes remaining in the game, on a layup by Jay McMiller, that gave the Panthers a 70-69 lead. "At half we talked about how we needed to play our game and not theirs." Coach Coombs said, "We needed to focus on the things we do and practice every day, and I thought for the most part the guys did that in the second half."
 
The Panthers never looked back once they took the lead late in the second half. Redshirt Freshman Guard Brian Tolefree knocked down a three to extend the lead, while Jay McMiller went 5 for 6 from the free-throw down the stretch to seal the win for the Panthers.
 The Panthers head to Dodge City on Saturday for its second Kansas Jayhawk conference game of the season. Tip is set for 3:00 pm at the DCCC Student Activities Center.

Game Stats:
Neosho - McMiller 25, Benton 17/14, Tolefree 13, Yang 9, Reliford 7, Fisher 5, Adup 2, Taliaferro 2
 
Colby – Hampton 20, Carter 13, Wordlow 12, Beaudion 12, Edwards 4, Hatten, 2 May 2
 
  
For more information on the Panther men's basketball team, visit GoNeosho.com or follow @GoNeoshoHoops on Twitter.