CARTERVILLE – The Lions hosted the Pinckneyville Panthers in a regular season conference game Friday night and took home a 54-46 conference win.

It took a lot of grit and determination for the Lions to thrive against such an aggressive Panther team. Unfortunately, at the end of the half, the Lions were already down 24-32, looking like they were finished.

With the Panthers coming out hot in the 3rd quarter, it took a lot from the Lions’ offense to get their momentum back in the game.

It kicked off with a strong drive to the basket by Braden Wakey; the Lions scored 2 making the score 26-32 with the Panthers still leading.

Following the aggressive drive, the leading scorer of the night, Caden Hawkins, scored back-to-back baskets, lessening the Panther lead to only 4 points (37-41).

Hawkins said the Lions’ offense is what got them out of their slump going into the 4th quarter.

“[We] started to lock down defensively and got some transition buckets and a lot of good things at the rim in that second half.”

The Lions proved the momentum was on their side going into the 4th. After a big foul, Hawkins scored both free throws, tying the game at 43-43.

With three minutes left in the game, Drew Barrington and Blake Burkey both pulled up for two points, finally putting the Lions in the lead (48-43). Burkey and Hawkins finished the night with some free throws, making the final score 54-46.

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