The Panthers pulled the rug out from under the Salthawks with a 71-46 win in Hutchinson.

The first half was looking slow for both Derby and Hutchinson, but there was a dramatic increase in points the second half.

The Panthers had the only five points through the 4:59 mark of the first quarter when the Salthawks went on a 10-0 run.

Derby senior Emilio Valentin led the Panthers with 11 points at halftime and the team had a 28-20 lead.

A Hutchinson technical gave junior Jared Mocaby the time to shoot two free throws. He added another three points.

Hutchinson only scored 10 third-quarter points while Derby almost doubled its halftime score at 54.

The Panthers’ biggest lead of the game was 30 points at the end of the fourth quarter before the Salthawks scored the game’s last five points.

More Derby players saw playing time this game, including juniors Dax Benway, Andrew Kennedy and sophomore Nick Bonner.

The first home game back of January is Tuesday against the Newton Railroaders.