The contest looked more like football game in stretches as both squads were very physical as 18 fouls were called in the first 12 minutes of the game. The Panthers looked good in their new uniforms and a big crowd was in attendance for the battle.
After Kewanee scored first Gus Schultz got EP’s first bucket as he connected on a 3-pointer 3 minutes into the game. Unfortunately, that was one of only two successful 3-point attempts by the hosts in the first half. The quarter ended with Kewanee leading 13-9.
The second 8 minutes were also a struggle for the Panthers to capitalize on good shots from inside as they missed numerous contested layups. The Panther defense played well to keep them in the game. A pair of layups that Evan Steimle did convert near the end of the half help the Panthers close the gap and the first half ended 21-21.
The two teams combined for a dismal 12-29 from the free throw line in the first 16 minutes. A Schultz baseline drive and Evan Steimle reverse layup midway through the third quarter gave EP their biggest lead of the game at 29-26 but Kewanee was able to score the last 5 points of the period to take a 2 point lead into the fourth.
Panther senior, Connor Keegan got things off to a good start in the fourth quarter as he converted 3 free throws one minute in to put EP back up 32-31. The game stayed close the rest of the way and a Keegan 3-pointer put EP up 41-40 with 2:05 remaining. A Boiler free throw tied it again at 41 at the 1 minute mark and neither team scored again sending it into the extra 4 minutes.
A 3-point bomb and a 2-pointer got Kewanee off quick in the extra period but a Keegan 3 made it 46-44 at the 1:47 mark. That was as close as the Panthers would get as they were forced to foul down the stretch and the Boilers converted on 7 of 12 free throws in the overtime to win 53-47.
Three Panthers were in double figures as Keegan finished with 13, Steimle had 11 and Schultz 10. Panther head coach Ryan Winckler was frustrated the Panthers let one get away. “We executed our offense very well throughout the contest but didn’t finish with made baskets. This one stings a little but we’ll get back at it Monday and work hard during a week of practice to fix a few things”.
The 2-2 Panthers travel to Morrison next Friday to take on former conference foe Morrison.
The Panther J V squad fell to 1-3 on the season as they dropped a 39-29 decision to the Boilers. They host the sophomore part of the Warkins Classic Saturday and Monday in Prophetstown.
