Lewis Central capitalizes on quick start

The Panthers (5-6) fell 56-45 to visiting Lewis Central (8-2) after a slow first quarter.

The Titans lead the conference with a 6-0 Hawkeye 10 record. The Panthers now sit at 2-3.

Creston was outscored 15-8 in the first, but put up a stronger second quarter to go into halftime down 27-19.

The Titans went up 34-21 in the second half, but then the Panthers went on an 8-2 run to narrow the lead to 36-29. The momentum went back in Lewis Central’s favor as they ended the quarter on eight unanswered points.

Turnovers were in favor of the Titans as they forced 17 including seven steals. Led by senior Jake Hoyt, Creston grabbed more rebounds, 26-22.

Hoyt had a game-high nine rebounds, two blocks and 20 points. Coming in next for the Panthers was sophomore Cael Barton with a career game, scoring 10 points on a 100% performance from the floor and the free-throw line.

Barton led the Panthers in the fourth quarter with seven points. It was the only period Creston outscored Lewis Central, 16-12.

The Titans were led by junior Ramon Ware with 14 points and freshman Carter Thielen with 13. Thielen had a game-high three steals.

The Panthers return to action tonight at Shenandoah before hosting Kuemper Catholic Friday.

STATS

CRESTON (45) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 20 3-3 45. Jake Hoyt, 10 0-0 20, Cael Barton 4 1-1 10, Parker Varner 2 2-2 6, Brayden Schoon 2 0-0 4, Josh Schaefer 1 0-0 3, Rhett Driskell 1 0-0 2. FG shooting — 20/47 (42.6 percent). 3-point goals — 2 (Schaefer 1, Barton 1). Rebounds — 26 (Hoyt 9, Driskell 5, Varner 5, Schaefer 2, Tommy Sand 2, Schoon 2, Tanner Ray 1). Assists — 9 (Driskell 4, Schaefer 2, Varner 2, Tyler Riley 1). Steals — 4 (Driskell 1, Ray 1, Hoyt 1, Schoon 1). Turnovers — 17. Team fouls — 12. Fouled out — None.

LEWIS CENTRAL (56) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 20 11-14 56. Ramon Ware 4 4-4 14, Carter Thielen 6 1-1 13, Jimmy Scott 3 0-0 7, Evan Lillie 2 1-1 6, Ty Paulson 1 3-4 5, Aidan Johnson 2 0-0 4, Charles Schaben 1 1-2 4, Parker Stessman 1 1-2 3). FG shooting — 20/48 (41.7 percent). 3-point goals — 5 (Ware 2, Schaben 1, Scott 1, Lillie 1). Rebounds — 22 (Thielen 6, Schaben 4, Paulson 3, Scott 2, Lillie 2, Stessman 1, Brooks Bond 1, Ware 1, Johnson 1, Jamison Olson 1). Assists — 13 (Lillie 4, Stessman 2, Scott 2, Paulson 2, Thielen 1, Schaben 1, Bond 1). Steals — 7 (Thielen 3, Scott 1, Lillie 1, Olson 1, Paulson 1). Turnovers — 8. Team fouls — 10. Fouled out — None.