MBB: Lamar State-PA flies past Panola, 89-77
couldn't overcome a Lamar State-Port Arthur run in an 89-77
setback Wednesday. (Photo by John Krueger)
CARTHAGE, Tx --An 18-4 run early in the second half gave Region 14 South Division-leading Lamar State College-Port Arthur the breathing room it needed to subdue Panola College on Wednesday. The Seahawks took a 19-point lead with about 13 minutes remaining and prevented the Ponies from cutting their deficit to less than 10 points the rest of the game in an 89-77 Lamar State-Port Arthur victory here in Arthur Johnson Gymnasium.
Forward Elijah Pittman led five Seahawks (15-4, 7-1) in double figures with 22 points, four rebounds, two blocked shots and two assists as the athletic leaper dunked seven times, including six alley-oop finishes. Left-handed Panola guard Issac Mack scored a game-high 32 points on 10-for-21 shooting and snagged three steals. His 19 first-half points kept the Ponies within three, 42-39, at halftime.
Pittman was the best example of Lamar State-Port Arthur's penchant for scoring at the rim in transition and out of halfcourt sets, but the Seahawks garnered 12 total dunks, seven from lobs. Guard Brandon Peters dunked three times, including a back-breaking, two-handed tip slam off a missed three-pointer with seven minutes left.
Had Panola (7-11, 1-7) grabbed the rebound, the Ponies might have cut their deficit to single digits; instead, Lamar State-Port Arthur stretched its lead to 73-60 before Pittman dished to Peters for another dunk on the Seahawks' ensuing possession.
Peters had 11 points, five rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals. Forward Eldridge Moore added 13 points and six rebounds, while point guard Derrick Dawkins had 10 points and a game-high seven assists.
Point forward Jayon James had 10 points, four assists and three boards.
Panola played Lamar State-Port Arthur to three ties and seven lead changes in the first 15 minutes and trailed 42-39 at halftime. Leading 49-44, the Seahawks staged an 18-4 run fueled by eight points from dunks or layups to take their largest lead of the game, 67-48, with 12:43 remaining.
Panola forward Zieyik Estime had 10 points and five rebounds. Guard Cortney Pitts had nine points, five rebounds and five assists. Guard Robert Lee added 10 points.
Panola visits Blinn College (15-5, 5-4) -- a 66-64 overtime loser at Paris on Wednesday -- at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Game at a Glance
LSCPA -- 42 47 -- 89
Panola -- 39 38 -- 77
LSCPA (15-4, 7-1) -- Pittman 22, Moore 13, Peters, 11, James 10, Dawkins 10, Roy 9, Provost 5, Stewart 5, Duncan 4.
Panola (7-11, 1-7) -- Mack 32, Lee 10, Estime 10, Pitts 9, Denmark 8, Beaver 4, McElwain 3, S. Smith 1.