After a low scoring first half that featured the. Lions of NDCL burn a lot of clock, the Panthers (1-3) turned up the heat in the second half on their way to a 64-42 win.

Much like the first quarter from Monday night's loss to Brush, the Euclid offense got off to a slow start.  Clayton Cunningham was the lone Panther in the opening frame to be able to consistently put the ball in the hoop as he opened the game with 7 first quarter points.  Jaden Wanton had the only other basket for the Panthers in the quarter until Devin Bennings used a nice shot fake to create separation and hit a three pointer as the first quarter buzzer sounded to give Euclid a 12-7 lead after one quarter.

The second quarter saw NDCL become increasingly deliberate on the offensive end, routinely taking 30-40 seconds off of the clock each possession.  It had an effect on Euclid as the Euclid offense got few shot attempts in the quarter and when they did get the opportunity the ball just would not fall.  Two more baskets from Bennings were the only offense that the Panthers could muster on their way to a 4 point quarter and a 16-16 halftime score.

Coach John Kane told the team to ramp up the pressure in the second half and make NDCL speed up.  It was instantly successful.  Euclid came out with a new energy in the second half and made steal after steal and turned them into easy transition baskets on the other end.  The Panthers would go on a 17-0 run in the quarter to put some separation between themselves and NDCL.  Four Panthers recorded multiple baskets in the third quarter during the balanced aggressive attack.  Bennings added 4 more points to his total, Jaden Wanton scored 7, Cam Smith added two baskets, and Clayton Cunningham added 5 third quarter points.  Euclid would win the quarter 22-11 nd take a 38/27 lead into the final frame.

Playing with a lead late in the game for the first time this season, it was important to see how the Panthers would react.  They did not disappoint.  Euclid continued the intense pressure on the NDCL guards forcing them into more turnovers and baskets.  Euclid caught fire from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter, making 6 threes in the fourth alone. The defensive pressure plus the hot shooting to close out the game led Euclid to a comfortable 64-42 victory.

Leading Euclid was Clayton Cunningham with 20 points and four triples, Jaden Wanton scored 15, and Devin Bennings added 14.

Euclid won the JV game by a final score of 63-52.

The Panthers (1-3, 0-1 GCC) return to Doc Daugherty Gymnasium on Friday January 22nd for a triple header vs GCC opponent, Elyria. Freshman will start at 4:30pm.