Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Panthers used a strong second half to put away the visiting Oglethorpe University Stormy Petrels, 78-61. The win improves the Panthers to 17-3 on the season and 9-3 in conference. The Petrels fall to 11-9, 6-6 in SCAC-play.
Neither team shot particularly well in the first half. The Petrels shot 39 percent, going 12-of-31, and the same 39 from three at 5-of-13. The Panthers fared slightly better from the field at 15-of-31 (49 percent) but they hit just three from behind the arc at 3-of-12 for 25 percent. The cold shooting kept the score low at 33-33 at the half and it also meant that neither team was able to build any kind of substantial lead.
The Panthers found a better rhythm in the second half, starting on a 7-0 run to open up a 40-33. Oglethorpe cut the lead to four on their next possession and did not come any closer the rest of the way. The Panther lead climbed as high as 17 thanks to a Kevin Kegarise three with 5:30 remaining and again at 2:05 off a Aaron Parr free throw.
The Panthers were led by Aaron Parr with 14 points. Jasen Jonus, Kevin Kegarise and Blaise White also scored in double-figures with 12, 11 and 10 points respectively. Patrick Price led the Panthers on the boards with five rebounds for the game. As a team, BSC out-rebounded the Petrels 38-24. White also helped the Panthers with five steals for the game. ‘Southern shot a combined 31-of-59 on the night (53 percent) and 8-of-22 from three (36 percent). The Panthers went 8-of-12 (67 percent)from the free throw line, all eight of which came in the second half.
BSC will return to the Hilltop Hardwood on Sunday as the Panthers host the Tigers of the University of the South. Game time is slated for 3:00 p.m. in Bill Battle Coliseum.