Box Score Chanute Kansas - A balanced offensive attack and a solid defensive performance helps push Panthers past rival Allen County 85-77 Saturday in front of the Panthers largest home crowd this season.
 
The Panthers jumped out to an early lead on the Allen County Red Devils by attacking the basket and scoring in transition off solid defensive stops. Magic Reliford would step up big, knocking down three ball after three ball.  The Panthers would take a 15 point lead with 6:41 left in the first half.  But the Red Devils weren't going away that easy as they made a run of their own and cut the Panthers lead to five points going into the locker room at half.
 
"That first half of basketball was the best we've started a game in a while," Panther Head Coach Jeremy Coombs said. "After the last few awful starts, I could see it in the guy's eyes that they were ready to play, so I had a pretty good feeling they would show up early for this one."
 
Panther guard Brian Tolefree spent most of the first half in foul trouble, but it was Magic Reliford who pulled up most of the slack as he scored 19 of his 25 points in the first half.
 
"This isn't something new...Magic is a great player and he's had a few games where he hasn't shot the ball well, but he stepped up tonight when we needed him the most." Coombs said. "That's what makes teams good is when you have guys that step up and last game it was Sai Fisher and tonight it was Magic."
 
In the second half the Panthers would come out hitting and would push the lead to as much as 20 points. But the Red Devils would connect on five three pointers and managed to get to the free-throw line 23 times knocking down 18 of the 23 helping Allen cut the Panther lead down 6 with 3 minutes to play.  The Panthers would make one last run before finishing off the Red Devils and eventually pulled out an 85-77 win in front of their home crowd.
 
Next up the Panthers will travel Wednesday to Independence Community College for an 8pm tip.  The Pirates have a one game lead over the Panthers and are currently tied with Cowley for 2nd place in the Jayhawk East. The Panthers will then return home Saturday to host the Cowley Tigers.
 
For more information on the Panther men's basketball team, visit GoNeosho.com or follow @GoNeoshoHoopson Twitter.