The Neosho County men's basketball team outlasted the Independence Community College Pirates 82-75 Saturday afternoon in Panther Gymnasium. The Panthers would dominate the second half from start to finish led by Magic Reliford who would score his third straight 30 plus game of the year. While De'Antray Hughes dominated the paint by adding his eighth double-double of the year grabbing 10 rebounds and scoring 16 points. 

In the first half, the Panthers would led by as many as 12 points, but a late first half 8-0 run would bring the Pirates even with the Panthers. Independence would eventually take a two point lead into the locker room, on a last second layup to beat the buzzer.

Coach Coombs on the victory, "I thought we defended well early but ultimately let our guard down toward the end of the first half. We just allowed them to get several easy paint buckets that we didn't do early in the half."

The Panthers would come out of the locker room in attack mode offensively scoring 46 second half points. But it was the defense, that was the difference, as they forced the Pirates into 20 turnovers and scored 26 points off those turnovers. 

Panthers led the Pirates 64-53 at the 2nd Half Media Timeout and maintained that lead for the remainder of the game.The Pirates would hit some late threes in the final two minutes, but it wasn't enough, as the Panthers won the game 82-75.

KEY STATISTICS

-Magic Reliford scored 33 points on (13-23) from the field, (3-7) from behind the arch and (4-8) from the free throw line. 

-De'Antray Hughes finished with with 16 points on (7-10) from the field and (2-2) from the free throw line while grabbing 10 rebounds. 

-Tremaine Chesley chipped in 13 points and finished with 4 steals. 

UP NEXT

The Panthers will have a quick turn around as they travel south to Coffeyville, KS on Monday to take on the Coffeyville Red Ravens, who are currently ranked #2 in NJCAA D1 basketball. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM.

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