Box Score Chanute, KS – The Neosho County Panthers took down the Hesston Larks in convincing fashion with a 91-67 victory Tuesday night at the Panther Gymnasium.
 
The Panthers (2-0) only led by ten points at the end of the first half, but a strong offensive surge in the second half propelled the Panthers to their second big victory of the season.
 
Freshman Trey Bates came off the bench to lead the Panthers in scoring knocking down 4 of 6 from three-point range and finishing 7 for 9 from the field scoring 18 points.  Bates also got it done on the defensive end getting 3 steals that turned into fast break points for the Panthers.
 
"Trey is super talented and can score it in bunches." Head Coach Jeremy Coombs said. "He did a great job getting us in our offense and also knocking down shots."
 
Also in double digit scoring for the Panthers was Tory Cargo with 16 points (4 for 8 from deep), Deonte Hicks chipped in 14 points, while Corbett Kimberlin scored 11 points.
 
The Larks came out hot knocking down its first five three pointers and took and early 17 to 10 lead, but the Panthers would crank up the defense and force the Larks into 19 first half turnovers. The Panthers would take the lead at the 13-minute mark off of a Bates three pointer and the Panthers would never look back from there.
 
In the second half the Panther defense would continue to cause havoc and forced the Larks into 31 turnovers for the game. The Panthers also dominated the glass 46 to 22 led by Jae-Min Yang with 9 total rebounds.
 
"I thought we made some strides to getting better but we still have a lot to work on." Coombs said. "We have two more games this week and both teams are very well coached. So we have got to play much smarter and better."
 
Panthers will travel to Fort Scott Thursday for the Gladbach Classic. Games were originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday but due to Fort Scotts volleyball team hosting a home volleyball playoff Saturday the games have been moved to Thursday and Friday.
 
"This doesn't give us much time to prepare for Highland but we will just have to make due." Coombs said. "Highland is a very talented team that loves to play fast and is well coached, they will be our biggest challenge yet."
 
Gladbach Classic Schedule – Fort Scott, KS
November 7th
4:00pm - Highland Community College vs. Neosho County Community College
8:00pm - Fort Scott Community College vs. Northwest Tech JV
 
November 8th
1:00pm - Northwest Tech JV vs. Highland Community College
5:00pm - Fort Scott Community College vs. Neosho County Community College
 
For more information, go to www.goneosho.com or follow @GoNeoshoHoops or GoNeosho on Twitter for updates throughout the year.