Rams power past Panthers

The Panthers (1-3) fell behind undefeated Glenwood (6-0) Friday in the first quarter after having a 9-7 lead earlier in the period. They weren’t able to close the gap, falling 68-54 to the conference rival.

Creston senior Jake Hoyt had a strong first half, putting up 16 points for the Panthers. He ended with a team-high 23 points.

Glenwood was led by senior Ayden Gibson who finished with 24 points and seven rebounds.

After the Panthers went up 9-7, the Rams outscored them 9-3 to end the half. Creston dropped four points, going 2-6 on free throws in the first quarter.

The Panthers were 60.9% from the free throw line, a drop from their average of 70.4%. Glenwood shot 75%.

The pace in the second quarter was fast, both teams scoring their most points in that time.

The Rams had four 3-point plays that quarter — three from behind the arc and one “and one” foul.

Sophomore Rhett Driskell and senior Josh Schaefer each made threes of their own during the second quarter, but both were following 3-pointers by the Rams. It was all the Panthers could do to keep up with the scoring flurry.

Creston was down 42-31 at the half.

The third quarter was a big change of pace, Glenwood scoring only nine points and the Panthers just six. Cold shooting hampered both teams. The Panthers’ didn’t score any from the field in the third, making all six points on free throws.

Creston finished 33.3% from the field compared to 58.7% by the Rams.

Both teams put up 17 in the fourth quarter, Creston unable to edge closer to the Rams’ score.

Creston senior Parker Varner hit three from the field, two of which were 3-pointers. He ended with 11 points and a team-high six rebounds. Schaefer also had 11 points and held the Panthers with three steals.

Senior Brayden Schoon led the team in assists with three and was perfect on his free-throw shooting.

Saturday, the Panthers played Green City (Missouri) in the 12 Courts of Christmas at Hy-Vee Hall in Kansas City. They lost to the undefeated team 54-46.

STATS

GLENWOOD (68) — Totals (FG FT PTS) — 27 9-12 68. Ayden Gibson 10 1-1 24, Jack Johnson 5 5-7 16, Landon McGoldrick 6 1-2 Drew Schroeder 5 2-2 12, Colin Steele 1 0-0 3. 3-point goals — 5 (Gibson 3, Steele 1, Johnson 1). Rebounds —30 (Gibson 7, Steele 6, Johnson 5, Bryce Keller 4, McGoldrick 3, Xavier Bowmaker 3, Cole Staudt 1, Schroeder 1). Assists — 19 (Johnson 6, Schroeder 4, Steele 3, Staudt 2, Bowmaker 2, McGoldrick 1, Keller 1). Steals — 9 (Johnson 4, Steele 1, Gibson 1, Schroeder 1, Keller 1, McGoldrick 1). Blocked shots — 1 (Gibson). Team fouls — 21. Fouled out — Gibson.

CRESTON (54) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 17 14-23 54. Jake Hoyt 7 8-12 23, Josh Schaefer 3 4-5 11, Parker Varner 4 0-1 11. Rhett Driskell 2 0-2 5, Brayden Schoon 1 2-2 4. 3-point goals — 6 (Varner 3, Hoyt 1, Schaefer 1, Driskell 1). Rebounds —20 (Varner 6, Hoyt 5, Schoon 4, Driskell 2, Schaefer 2, Cael Barton 1). Assists — 9 (Schoon 3, Driskell 2, Schaefer 2, Varner 1, Hoyt 1). Steals — 6 (Schaefer 3, Hoyt 2, Tyler Riley 1). Blocked shots — 0 Team fouls — 17. Fouled out — None.