Chanute, KS -- The Panthers hit the hardwood for the first time Thursday night to kick off the 2021 campaign with a convincing 117-56 win over the Bethany College Swedes in the Panther Gymnasium to improve to 1-0.

The Panthers won the tip and within the first 10 seconds scored its first bucket of the 2021 season and the Panthers never looked back. It was a slashing Cougar Downing that put the Panthers on the board first as he slipped past the Swede defense and laid one off the glass for two points. But it was Deondre Buggage and Magic Reliford that would light up the scoreboard from deep giving the Panthers a 31 to 14 lead at the first half media time out.

At the end of the first 20 minutes of play, Neosho led Bethany 62 to 21 shooting 22-37 (62.2%) from the field and 11-22 (50%) from the parking lot. Neosho would also force the Swedes into 13 first-half turnovers that allowed the Panthers to score 17 points off the visitor's turnovers. The momentum was led at the half by Buggage who score 20 points in just the first half knocking down 6 of 10 from long range.

The Panther's lead was extended in the 2nd half with an 89 to 39 lead with just 8:49 left to play. The hot shooting Panthers cooled off in the second but still finished the game shooting 48-80 (60%) from the field and 16-40 (40%) from deep. Coach Coombs' team would ultimately run away with the game and finish the Swedes off with a 117-56 victory.

Deondre Buggage and Magic Reliford would both score 22 points, De'Andray Hughes finished with 15 points, both Malik Carson and Daniel Titus finished with 11 points.

The Panthers are back in action against Ottawa University JV on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. here on the campus of Neosho County Community College.

For more information, go to www.goneosho.com or follow @GoNeoshoHoops or GoNeosho on Twitter for updates throughout the year.