PCM’s three point shooting caught on in time to down Knoxville in the Panthers season opener on Tuesday night and the Mustangs came away with a win for the first time in six tries in the series 48-38 as heard live on 95.3 KNIA. Neither team shot the ball well in the 1st half as PCM took a 16-11 halftime lead. The Panthers cut it to one point early in the 3rd quarter, but the Mustangs quickly extended it to double figures and Knoxville got no closer than eight the rest of the way. Key three point goals from Addison Steenhoek, Tori Lindsay, and Lila Milani helped keep the Mustangs ahead. Coach Sami Allison-Rodriguez told KNIA/KRLS Sports while the shooting was good, her team needs to do better at taking care of the ball.

Rodriguez: “We hit some big shots. Tori got hot, Lila and Addsion hit some big shots when we needed them. We need to take better care of the ball especially at the end of the game, but to come in a steal one from a good team like that it feels really good.”

Lindsay led the Mustangs with 18 points, Steenhoek 12 and Milani had 11. Meanwhile for Knoxville, Coach Matt Ritchhart said the shots did not fall and rebounding was an issue all game.

Ritchhart: “I think in the first quarter, Brittany and Hannah had at least ten offensive rebounds. Our rebounding was not very good and we need to get better at it.”

Hannah Dunkin scored 17 points to lead Knoxville while Brittany Bacorn had 12. Knoxville is now 0-1 and will host Bondurant-Farrar on Monday while PCM is 1-1 and will host Pella Christian next Thursday.

Photo from Ryan Northcote