HUTCHINSON, Kan. - The Derby Panthers knocked down 11 three point baskets in route to a 69-54 win over the Hutchinson Salthawk Boys at the Salthawk Activity Center Tuesday night.
Hutch hung with the talented Panthers early being tied 11-11 at the end of the first quarter, but gave up 20 points in the second quarter to trail by 10 at the half 31-21.
Derby pushed it to a 17 point lead at 50-33 and the end of the third quarter and extended the lead to 27 in the fourth thanks to the hot hand of Panther sharp shooter Cale Clingan's three trey's in the quarter.
The Salthawks battled back in the final quarter, but the lead was too much to overcome.
Clinton ended with 13 points and senior guard Jack Upwelling led Derby in scoring with 14.
Hutchinson was led in scoring by senior Terrell King with 16 points. Lamar Govain followed up with 14 after a 10 point third.
Govain and King were the only Salthawks who scored in the third quarter. Foul trouble was an issue for Govain who sat most of the first half on the bench due to fouls.
Hutchinson now finds itself in a five game losing streak after starting the season 4-1,
Head coach Bryan Miller commented on his post-game radio show "this is unacceptable! We've got to sit down and figure this out, and we will."
Hutch dropped two winnable games in the MIT tournament last week in McPherson losing 61-58 to Wichita East and 63-61 to Manhattan. The Salthawks dropped their first round game to Blue Valley West 53-42.
Hutchinson will travel to Maize South on Friday night to make up a game postponed by weather from January 7th. They then will face the Mavericks again at home next Tuesday as well as hosting Salina South on Friday, January 7th.
Derby travels to Junction City on Monday before hosting Valley Center on Tuesday, wrapping up the week traveling to Goddard Eisenhower on Friday, January 7th.