DODGE CITY, KS. – Four Panthers posted double digit scoring but defense was the key to winning on the road Saturday afternoon in Dodge City as the Panthers improved to 8-2 on the season with the 77-68 win over the Dodge City Conqs.

"I wasn't really concerned with our offense as much as I wanted us to focus on slowing down the #4 scoring team in our conference." said Panther Head Coach Jeremy Coombs  "I thought we started off slow defensively but really turned it up in the second half."

The Dodge City Conqs went back and forth with the Panthers in the first half and took a 32-30 lead into the locker room at half. The Panthers shot just 10% from three while the Conqs knocked down 33% of their three balls.

"I thought we did a poor job of communicating defensively and finding shooters," said Coombs "but we made a few adjustments at half and had a couple guys step up."

Coombs mentioned Arkel Williams, Chol Adup, James Bittle and James Taylor when praising guys who stepped up defensively.

"We started the second half playing great team defense," said Coombs "But when Dodge made a run I thought those guys came off the bench and gave us several really big stops."

That's when the Panthers offense kicked in gear, making a 11- 1 run that put the team ahead by nine and the Panthers never looked back.

"This was a good road win for us," Said Coombs "The key to winning this conference is protecting your house and taking some on the road and we did that today."

Panthers next action is Wednesday when the #9 Hutch Blue Dragons come to Chanute for a 7:30pm tip.

Neosho 30 - 47 - 77

Dodge   32 - 36 - 68

Neosho: Tolefree 18, McMiller 13, Yang 13, Adup 10, Reliford 6, Williams 5, Benton 4, Taylor 4, Bittle 2, Fisher 2.

Dodge: Freels 19, Dixson 11, Hill 9, Petrakis 9, Howard 7, Senigaur 4, Edwards 3, Mancy 3, Burns 3.