Panthers one and one at home

Saratoga Panther’s basketball team lost the lead late in the game against number two Pine Bluffs (10-6), (4-1) and were forced to foul to try and stop the Hornets. The Hornets were able to convert the intentional fouls into the points that put the game away, 51-59.

“Our guys played well,” coach Josh Sandlian said. “The second time around (against Pine Bluffs) was much better.”

The game was fast paced and starter Ben Faulk got into foul trouble early in the game and sat the bench, hampering Saratoga’s game plan. Saratoga played well against an early press from Pine Bluffs, but a technical foul called in the second quarter allowed the Hornets to score 6 points without draining any time from the game clock.

Saratoga wasn’t able to hit free throws early, but midway through the second Ben Gates and John Brennan started to connect the free throws. Gates hit seven of eight and Brennan was two for three on the night.

The fast but low-scoring first half ended with Pine Bluffs up by only five, 28-33.

In the second half, another technical was called but this time against the Hornets.

Faulk unfortunately fouled out in the third, but good passing and good offensive boards from Jake Fourman helped to cut the Hornets’ lead to 4.

Early in the fourth quarter Brennan drove the lane to give Saratoga a 1-point lead but the Panthers weren’t able to hold onto it.

“We kind of needed this one to boost our standings,” Sandlian said. “It was one we thought we could win.”

On Saturday the tables were turned when Saratoga rode to victory on the back of Daniel Kerbs’ and Ben Faulk’s shooting, 53-35. The two scored 15 and 13 points respectively against Southeast (0-17), (0-6).

The Panthers started slow and fell behind by the end of the first 7-9. Sandlian moved to a zone defense and the Panthers trapped the ball creating turnovers which gave Saratoga the momentum back. The Panthers settled in at this point and concentrated on their offense.

“This was good experience,” Sandlian said. “We were able to run some other offensive sets and the young guys got more experience.”

Through the game Saratoga continued to play well and expanded the lead to a comfortable margin. The Panthers held a 44-23 lead at the end of three quarters and Sandlian put younger players on the hardwood.

“The young guys are playing well and contributing,” Sandlian said. “With more experience they will learn how to handle pressure and become more valuable in what we are trying to do.”

Saratoga travels to Little Snake River on Thursday and then travels to play a conference game against Burns (9-9), (2-3) on Saturday.