Panthers squander 14-point lead as Southampton wins at buzzer

Charles City's Craig McElroy drives to the hoop for two of his 11 points against Southampton's Marqi Eaton as teammate Gavin Cotman observes.

Andre' Jones photo

For first year Charles City head coach Aaron Dodge, it was kind of an odd-feeling to see former comrade and Panther head coach Sharone Bailey on Southampton’s visiting bench. It was obvious that both coaches knew each other well, but it was a last minute adjustment that led to the Indians stealing a win.

Indian forward Shane Aqunzo converted an open lay-up as time expired as visiting Southampton overcame a 14-point deficit to start the final frame to escape with a 75-74 win in the season opener for both teams.

Through the first three quarters, it seemed Charles City would have no problem with the visitors, as senior guard Antonio Harris scored 11 of the team’s first 14 points as the hosts jumped out to a nine point lead (14-5). And even when Harris was double-teamed in a strategic ploy, Panther teammates Craig McElroy and Thomas Kelly pumped in first half baskets, with Kelly’s jumper shortly before the halftime buzzer giving the hosts a 44-33 advantage.

The lead stayed intact as the Panthers carried a 65-51 cushion into the final frame before Southampton staged an epic comeback. Russelle Ballance connected with a lay-up and his three-pointer from the wing sliced the Panther lead to single digits (67-58). His stickback with 3:39 on the clock squeezed the margin to six, forcing Dodge to call a timeout.

When play resume, guard Noah Ragland’s speed garnered him a trip to the free throw line, sinking one of two attempts. Ragland converted a three-point play to return the Panthers to a double-digit lead (71-61) with 2:45 remaining in the contest.

Undeterred, Southampton responded with seven straight points, capped off with Hunter Peck’s long distance shot to shrink the gap to three. After another Indian free throw, two Harris free throws bumped the Panther lead back to four. However, Harris failed to convert the front end of a one and one, resulting in the visitors responding with Ballance drilling another trifecta with 54.2 on the clock, tightening the score to 73-72.

With a chance to take the lead, Southampton’s Lasalle Peale missed a jumper from the elbow, but a rebound by teammate Aquzno led to him being fouled. Aquzno converted one of two free throws to tie the game with 8.3 seconds remaining.

On the inbounds, Panther guard Khairi Wyatt was fouled and sent to the line with 5.4 showing on the clock. Wyatt converted the second free throw, resulting in a timeout taken by Southampton. Peale took the inbounds pass and dribbled down the court, escaping a trap. Peale made a pass fter crossing midcourt that found a wide open Aquzno. Aquzno drained the uncontested bucket as the buzzer sounded, sealing a nearly improbable comeback for the visitors and leaving Charles City players stunned and shocked.

After the game, Dodge spoke about the pace of the game and how they managed it well.

“Through the first three quarters, we did a good job getting through their press and finishing at the glass,” said the obviously frustrated coach. “In the final quarter, we just didn’t make or convert the buckets like we did during the first three quarters.”

Also evident in the Panthers’ play was a lack of a defensive stand in the final quarter. While the Panthers’ hustle led to multiple turnovers and easy baskets early in the game, the collapse of a stifling defense was noticeable during the game’s closing seconds.

“Our intention was not to let them get the ball in quickly or down the court quickly,” continued the Panther head coach. “Our execution didn’t work. We had players out of position and that’s what led to one of their role players hitting the key bucket.”

Harris’ 23 led the Panthers (0-1). McElroy and Ragland added 13, while Gavin Cotman also finished in double figures with 11. Kelly added nine, Michael Callahan and James Adkins scored two apiece, and Wyatt chipped in with one.

Ballance led all scorers in the game with 28, while Peck added 23 and Aquzo finished in 12 for the visiting Indians (1-0).