CHANUTE, KS -- The Neosho County Community College men's basketball team fell at home Saturday night to a scrappy Allen County squad. Allen would jump out to an early 6-point lead off a three-ball from Trez Hankins and an old-fashion three-point play by Malik Hardmon. But the Panthers would come storming back and just after the media timeout the Panthers would take an 11-point lead with 9:09 left to play in the first half which would be their largest lead of the night.
 
"I thought we did a nice job moving the ball in the first and attacking the basket." Head Coach Jeremy Coombs said, "We just needed to get more stops on the defensive end as I felt we had opportunities to run away with the game but just let them back in several times."
 
The Panther took a 3-points lead into the half, but Allen County would respond every time the Panthers would make a run. The Red Devils never let the Panthers get too far ahead, as 6 points was the Panthers largest lead in the second half. With just 12:45 to play the Red Devils would get into the double-bonus as the Panthers didn't get to the bonus till the 4:32 left in the game.
 
"The second half was hard as we could never really get a rhythm going, we would make a run and then Allen would end up at the free-throw line." Coombs said, "Hats off to Allen as they shot very well from the free-throw line and it ultimately won the game for them."
 
Allen would shoot 16 more free throws than the Panthers knocking down 25 of 33 (75%) to the Panthers 10 of 17 (58%).
 
KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
-- For the game, Neosho finished shooting 53.7 percent (36 of 67) overall, 45.5 percent (10 of 22) from long range. While Allen paced the Panthers shooting 51 percent (29 of 56) overall, 40 percent (10 of 25) from deep.
-- Jonathan Breeland Jr. and Daniel Titus both finished with 23points apiece.
-- Panthers would dominate the boards 35 to 28.
-- Only statistical category the Panthers lost was FT attempts, FT %, Personal fouls, blocks and ultimately the most import stat…the final score.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers start the first round of the Region VI tournament on the road at Pratt Community College Wednesday night the 26th at 8:00 pm. The Panthers lost earlier in the year at the Beaver Dome in overtime. From here out its win and advance to Dodge City or lose and go home.
 
*** For the first time since 2005, the NJCAA Division I Region VI Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament will be hosted in a location other than Wichita. This year the event will move to United Wireless Arena in Dodge City, KS on February 29, March 1, 2, and 3, 2020.
 
STAY SOCIAL
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