CHANUTE, KS – Late game mistakes cost Panthers an upset victory to #7 Hutchinson Community College in an 81-86 overtime loss to give the Panthers in their first Jayhawk Conference loss Wednesday night.
 
The Panthers went toe to toe with the #7 Dragons for almost 38 minutes, but with the game almost wrapped up the Panthers just couldn't hold on and the dragons pushed the game into overtime where they controlled all of the extra 5 minutes to give the Dragons the win.
 
"We are a young team and made some mistakes late in the game but I was proud that we battled for the entire game." Said head coach Jeremy Coombs "But as they said what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and hopefully we are better for this."
 
Magic Reliford hit the Panthers 12th three-pointer in the game and gave the Panthers a 64-63 lead with 6:06 left to play. But the Dragons went on a 6-0 run to finish the game and tied the Panthers at 75 to force overtime. But in the extra 5 minutes the Panthers were held to one field goal and five turnovers helped the Dragons pull out an 86-81 victory.
 
The Panthers fall to 8-3 and 2-1. Next up the Panthers will host #9 Barton at 7:30 p.m. on Monday here in Chanute.
 
Neosho County Community College         35           40           6              81
Hutchinson Community College                 38           37           11           86
 
Neosho: Tolefree 21, Reliford 14, McMiller, 14, Yang 12, Williams 9, Benton 6, Fisher 4, Taliaferro 1
 
Hutch: Rojas 20, Singletton 17, Taylor 13, Kamissoko 13, Giles 8, Odihiambo 6, Jacobs 5, Mitchell, 4