The Panthers clinched a hard-fought victory against Lawrence Free State, edging out their Lawrence Free State 52-46 in a thrilling substate matchup.
“It was a big game, (We’re) going to (Charles Kock Arena), (We’re) going to state, one of the best seasons in Derby history, it means a lot,” senior Brayden Smith said.
After trailing 11-9 at the end of the first quarter, the Panthers rallied in the second and led by 14 points at halftime.
“It was great. The first half was great; going into halftime with that big lead, we knew we were going to come out strong,” said senior point guard Jack Ulwelling. “Third quarter was kind of tough for us, but in the fourth quarter, we found a way.”
The third quarter proved challenging for the Panthers, as Lawrence Free State outscored them 15-10, narrowing the deficit.
With time winding down in the fourth quarter and a slim lead on the line, the Panthers executed a crucial 13-3 run, bringing the score to 47-46 with 1:58 remaining.
Sophomore Avant Riley played a pivotal role in the win, nailing three of the five critical shots in the final quarter.
“I feel great. I’ve always stepped up to the spotlight, and I’ve never shied away from it,” Riley said. “And that’s just what I do.”
The Panthers will advance to play at Charles Koch Arena on March 12.
“I’ve always wanted to play at (Charles) Koch Arena; this will be my first time personally, so it’s going to be a really fun journey with these guys,” Riley added.