Pottersville, NY - The Panthers traveled north to play USCAA conference rival Word of Life on Thursday afternoon. The Panthers had arguably their best game of the season, blowing out the opposing Huskies by 43 points which effectively ended an 8-game losing streak. Despite only having five active players, the Panthers dominated right from the tip-off. 

The Panthers from the tip took control of this game with amazing play, and lots of scoring from Richards (16), Washington (9), and Matias (10), while Abe Pogue (Oradell, NJ) was helping with leading the Panthers in rebounds pulling down 7 first half boards. The Panthers in the first half just racked up statistics like they really wanted this one. Edgard Matias (Kissimmee, FL) totaled 6 steals in the first half with an addition 3 from Myles Washington (Alexandria, VA) to help lead the defensive charge. The Panthers took all this energy and momentum into halftime up by 22.

The second half was more of the same, with the Panthers just racking up more statistics. Washington led the charge in the second half dishing out the ball, and finding his teammates all over the court totaling 7 assists in the half. He also scored 8 more points bringing his total for the game to 17. Brett Richards (Kinderhook, NY)  scored 19 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. Matias scored 7 more points bringing his total to 17, and picking up 2 more steals bringing his total to 8. Jalin Williams (Winter Haven, FL) also had himself a game, picking up a career high in rebounds grabbing 8. 

Richards finished with 35 points, which is tied for the third most in a single game by a Panther since joining the USCAA conference in the 2012/13 season. But that was not the only record that Richards came close to: he also finished with 15 made field goals, tied for the most in a game, and 9 offensive rebounds, tied for fourth most in a game. Thursday marked his 12th double-double on the year, making him one shy of tying the single season record. 

Richards wasn't the only one to enter the record books. This game showed that the future is so bright for the Panthers, and this team can be scary. Point guard Myles Washington (Alexandria, VA) had 9 assists which tied for the third most in a single game since 2012/13 and Matias tied the record with 8 steals. 

The Panthers excellent defense held the Huskies to only 25% shooting and forced 21 turnovers, including 17 steals which is tied for the fifth most by the Panthers since the 2012/13 season. The excellent play on both sides of the court was the story of this game, which let the Panthers have their largest win since January 27th of 2019.

The Panthers look to take this momentum, and carry it over into their home game Saturday 2/4 against #5 Central Maine Community College.

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