INOLA, Okla. -- The Siloam Springs boys basketball team picked up a much-needed win Friday at the Jerry Oquin Invitational in Inola (Okla.).
The Panthers snapped a two-game losing streak after hanging on to defeat host Inola 65-63 in the consolation finals.
Siloam Springs, which led 35-27 at halftime, hung on in the second half after the Longhorns made a comeback attempt.
"The kids played really hard tonight," said Siloam Springs coach Tim Stewart. "We need to keep learning how to close out ballgames. We got big contributions from a lot of guys. We battled to the very end and found a way to beat a tough Inola team."
With the game tied at 61-61 late in the fourth quarter, Roman Lambert hit a big 3-pointer to put the Panthers up 64-61.
Leading 65-63 in the final seconds, the Panthers (4-3) watched the Longhorns get a pair of good looks a game-tying shot but nothing fell.
Lambert, a senior guard, led the Panthers with a career-high 20 points. Brandon Johnson scored 15 points, while Kyle Snaveley had 11 points. Tucker Gambill added a season-high seven points.
The Panthers led the Longhorns 16-14 after the first quarter and outscored Inola 19-13 in the second quarter to take a 35-27 lead at halftime.
Inola came back and outscored the Panthers 20-17 in the third quarter and 16-13 in the fourth quarter.
Siloam Springs played its final game in the Jerry Oquin Invitational on Saturday afternoon against Catoosa. Results were not available at presstime.
The Panthers are off unti Friday when they host Rogers Heritage in a nonconference game Friday at Panther Activity Center.
Sports on 12/14/2014