PANTHERS OUTPACE PALO VERDE TO TAKE CONFERENCE OPENER

The Panthers were on the board 15 seconds into play tonight and did not let up, outscoring the Palo Verde Pirates in both halves of play and taking the conference opener 96-76.  Up by 16 at one point int he first half, the teams went into the break 49-37.  In the second half, the Panthers again dominated, outscoring the Pirates 47-39.

Manu Oulai led the Panthers with another double-double performance scoring 21 and posting 10 rebounds.  Oulai currently leads the state in rebounds per game.

Freshman guard DJ Molett had his best game of the season with 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals.  Chase Evans, Aaron Johnson and Dalton Clevenger also scored in double digits.  "This was a game that allowed our whole team to participate with five players scoring 10 or more towards the win," commented Head Coach Jeff Klein.  The Panthers have improved their freethrow game, shooting 75% from the line.

"We started off slow but we came together at the right time," said Klein.  "Tonight's conference opening win sets the stage for what to expect when the season continues in January."  The team plays their final non-conference game December 28th at West LA and returns to the Sports Center January 2nd to take on San Bernardino Valley.