Sedalia, MO - Neosho County men's basketball went toe-to-toe with State Fair Community College on Saturday afternoon, falling just short in a tough 69–68 road loss. The matchup featured multiple momentum swings and a strong defensive effort from both squads, but the Panthers ultimately came up one possession shy in the final seconds.

Despite the narrow defeat, Neosho County saw several standout performances that kept them in striking distance throughout.

Cooper Weeks delivered one of his most complete outings of the young season, scoring 13 points while also controlling the glass with 7 rebounds. His presence inside was a consistent boost for the Panthers at both ends.

Champ Powaukee was electric with the ball in his hands, also finishing with 13 points on an ultra-efficient 83% shooting from the field. His ability to create high-percentage looks gave the Panthers scoring stability all afternoon.

Eriq Caraballo provided a major spark from long range, knocking down three 3-pointers and totaling 11 points. His perimeter shooting provided a spark to keep the Panthers within striking distance throughout the contest. 
The Panthers will look to regroup quickly as they return home for their next contest. They host Kansas Christian College on November 29 at 3 p.m., where they'll aim to bounce back and protect their home court.