BASKETBALL: Hardin pumps in 28, Panthers beat Sparta

SPARTA, IL - Pinckneyville senior Dylan Hardin erupted for 28 points to help carry the Panthers to a 66-46 win at Sparta on Friday night, wrapping up the regular season for both teams. The victory leaves the Panthers at 7-3 in the Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference's Mississippi Division, good for second place overall behind the Nashville Hornets.

The Panthers rolled to a 19-11 first quarter, but put the game away in the third when they doubled up the Bulldogs 20-10.

Hardin's big night included four three-pointers, five two-point goals and six free throws. 20 of his 28 points came in the first half.

Luke Miller joined Hardin in double figures for PCHS with 14 points. Nolan Luke finished with 8 points, Tristan Fisher and Chris Priebe each added 6, and Caleb Dahn had 4.

For the Bulldogs, who were playing without senior Aaron Rushing (illness), were led by Phil Lockhart's 26 points, 12 of which came at the charity stripe.

The two teams will lock horns again this Wednesday night at the Class 2A Regional at Sparta High School. Prior to their 7:30 p.m. semifinal, Nashville will take on either Du Quoin or Red Bud at 6:30.

Semifinal winners move on to Friday night's championship at 7:30.

Pinckneyville finished their schedule with a 19-10 mark and will need to knock off the Bulldogs for a third time this season to keep a streak of ten straight 20-win seasons alive for the historic program.

Sparta finished the regular season at 20-9, 6-4 in the SIRR Mississippi Division.