On Jan. 16 the Rangely Panthers hosted Caprock Academy from Grand Junction. The Panthers started in their full court press and forced many early Caprock turnovers. At the end of the first period the Panthers were up 14-5 in their best start to a game of the season. In the second quarter Caprock was able to adjust to the pressure and the game became a battle of half court defenses. At halftime the Panthers were still ahead 25-19, aided by a good shooting night from outside hitting four first half three pointers. The game continued to be a battle all night and saw Caprock get as close as 1-point ending the third quarter 32-31. The Panthers were able to continue to control the game and took a 45-40 victory. Leading the way for the Panthers was Tristan Scott who scored 17 points on three three-pointers and Clay Allred who added 11 points and five steals.
Jan. 18 the Panthers hosted Little Snake River out of Baggs, Wyoming. The Panthers came out of the gate rolling offensively to take a slight advantage after the first period leading 13-8. The next quarter and a half became one of the biggest defensive battles of the season with both teams playing tenacious defense and struggling to score. At halftime Snake River was ahead 19-17. The Panthers came out of halftime on a roll again and were able to use an 8-0 run to take the lead 25-19 with four minutes left in the third quarter. Unfortunately, that was the high point as Little Snake River would go on their own 12 point run to end the third quarter and control the final quarter. The final score would see the Panthers fall 44-30. Leading the way for the Panthers was Marcos Quintana who scored 10 points on eight rebounds.
Jan. 20 the Panthers traveled to Walden, Colorado, to take on the North Park Wildcats. As with the other games of the week the Panthers were able to come out of the gate rolling offensively and were able to secure a 17-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter did not go as smoothly for the Panthers’ and saw them go into halftime trailing 31-23. The Panthers continued to battle throughout the third quarter and hit a three in the first minute of the fourth quarter to get within three points at 38-35. Unfortunately, the rest of the game was controlled by the Wildcats who had a tremendous shooting night hitting 11 three-pointers during the contest. The final score read 56-39 and dropped the Panthers to 3-9 on the season. Leading the way for the Panthers was Marcos Quintana who got a double-double getting 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Clay Allred who added 10 points.
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