The Miami Trace Panthers (20-3) train kept rolling Thursday at the Convo in Athens with a 62-53 Division II District Semi victory over the Athens Bulldogs.
The game was closely contested through the first half with the Panthers leading 13-11 after the first quarter and 25-21 going into the half. The Bulldogs were able to keep the game close by knocking down three 3-point shots, two of which came from Dalton Cozart who scored eight of his teams first eleven points.
Athens jumped out first in the third quarter, scoring the first five points but Miami Trace answered by outscoring Athens 21-11 in the quarter and taking a 14 point lead into the final quarter, 46-32. Athens outscored Miami Trace in the fourth, 21-16 but it wasn't enough as the Panthers move on in the tournament to face Fairfield Union on Friday, March 10th at 6:15 p.m. for the District Championship. Buckeye Country 105.5FM/iHeartRadio broadcast start @ 6:05 p.m.
The Panthers shot the ball well and played excellent defense to keep Athens back-peddling all night. Miami Trace shot 26-56 from the field for 46% and were 7-11 from the free throw line for 64%, the only place they struggled was from behind the arc as they were just 1-8 for 13%. Deandre Pettiford led the Panthers in scoring with 21 points, Tyrae Pettiford added 10, Darby Tryee and Cameron Carter chipped in 9 points a piece and Mitchell Creamer came off the bench to shoot 4-5 from the field and ended the night with 8 points.
Athens(14-10) was held to 35% shooting on the night, but they did knock down six three's and committed 19 turnovers. Dalton Cozart was the only Bulldog in double figures with 13 points.