LANCASTER
The showdown between state-ranked Midlothian and Lancaster turned into a lopsided affair after halftime Friday night.
The TABC No. 11 Panthers trailed the 14th-ranked Tigers by one at the half but were outscored 40-24 in the second half, falling on the road 77-60.
Evan Marshall led the Panthers with 16 points, while Kaden Archie scored 15 before fouling out. Swahn Gipson scored 13 points, Caleb Jordan added eight, Omari Bobbitt had five, Nyk Madison had two, and Moes Moore rounded out the attack with one point.
The Panthers did not attempt a free throw in the first half and converted on just 1-of-7 in the second half. Lancaster finished 0-for-5 at the charity stripe.
The loss drops the Panthers to 18-8 on the season, 4-3 in District 10-5A, and into a tie with Mansfield Lake Ridge for third place in the district standings. The Panthers and Eagles are one-game clear of fifth-place (13-8, 3-4) Red Oak after the Hawks defeated Mansfield Legacy 66-60 Friday.
Midlothian returns to the court Tuesday, Jan. 23 at home against Mansfield Legacy. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. at Panther Arena.