Panthers drop Griffins, 65-52

(VANDALIA) — The Pana Panthers made 6-of-8 free throws down the stretch to defeat Fr. McGivney High School of Glen Carbon, 65- 52, in the second day of the 49th annual Vandalia Holiday Tournament.

The Griffins are the 8th seed in the tournament and they kept it close with the number two seed Panthers. The game was tied at the end of the first period, 12- 12 and Pana’s lead was one at the break, 27-26. The Panthers got a little distance in the third frame and went into the fourth quarter with a 48-41 lead.

Devon Peebles, who is having a great tournament, scored 20 points followed by Brenden Schoonover with 18. Kyle Kuhn and Drew Hackler added 9 points each and Colin Schmitz scored 6 points, all in the second half.

Jackson Rodgers and Gabe Smith paced the Griffins with 17 points apiece.

Pana had an advantage at the free throw line where they shot 11-of-16, 69%. The Griffins went to the line 7 times and made 5, 71%

The Panthers are 3-0 in pool play and have their final pool play game this evening when the face the Flora Wolves at 8:00 p.m. Flora is 2-1 in pool play.

Overall, Pana is 9-1 on the season.