November 23, 2015 - In the opening game of Region XIV play, the Panola College men’s basketball team defeated Coast Bend, 79-66. With the win the Ponies improve their record to 7-2, and 1-0 in conference play. “Conference play is so difficult because both teams have each other scouted so well.” Stated Head Coach Grant McMillan. “We executed well and got contribution from everyone on our team tonight.” He added.
Coastal Bend scored the first five points of the game but a quick offensive flurry gave Panola a 17-11 lead with 12 minutes to go in the first half. Panola took a 38-31 lead into the locker room. Coast Bend cut the lead to six with just under 9:00 minutes remaining but never got any closer.
Leading the charge offensively was Chan Williams-Bey (Hartford, Connecticut) and Tope Arikawe (Nigeria) nettings 16 points each. Jonathan Wiley (Houston, Texas) scored 11 and Terry Holt (Nashville, Tennesse) continued his hot shooting, coming off the bench, scoring 12. Charles Tucker (Lansing, Michigan) and Tyonte Robertson (Cincinnati, Ohio) shared the ball effectively combining at 19 assists. As a team, the Ponies grabbed 47 rebounds and only had nine turnovers.
Panola will next be in action as they head to Lamar State Port-Arthur this upcoming Tuesday, November 24th. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM on the campus of Lamar State Port-Arthur in Beaumont, Texas.
