BASKETBALL: Panthers thump Roxana after loss to A-J
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Steve Brueggeman scored 20 points and Hunter Queen added 19 as Pinckneyville responded to Friday night's upset loss to Anna-Jonesboro by thumping Roxana 78-47 on Saturday night.
The game, which was the finale of the Panther Basketball Showcase held at Thomas Gymnasium, was never in doubt after a 22-7 Panther run in the second quarter.
Roxana held on for a 9-9 tie after the first, but the Panthers put up 22 or more points in each quarter the rest of the way while holding Roxana to 35% shooting (11-for-29).
Pinckneyville had 18 assists as a team on the night, but no individual player had more than 3.
Kyle Lamb joined Brueggeman and Queen in double figures with 11 points, Dylan Hardin had 7, Bryant Shute 5, Payton Nippe and Chris Priebe 4, Keegan Kellerman and Christian Shopinski 3, and Justin Bumann 2. Lamb and Hardin each had 6 rebounds.
Roxana failed to connect on a three-pointer in the entire game, going 0-for-9. Hunter Reine was their top scorer with 17 points in the losing effort.
The Panthers return to action this Friday with a crucial conference road contest at Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference Mississippi Division leader Nashville (20-3, 7-0).
<u>Wildcats bite Panthers in A-J</u>
Anna-Jonesboro (11-12, 1-5) picked up their first S.I.R.R. victory of the season on Friday, knocking off Pinckeyville 42-37 in Anna.
Pinckneyville fell behind 11-6 after the first quarter and trailed the rest of the way, struggling to make up ground as they continued to send the Wildcats to the foul line. The Panthers were whistled for 16 team fouls to the host Wildcats' 7 personals.
Lamb led the Panthers with 17 points in the loss. Queen had 8 points, Brueggeman added 6, Bumann 3, Nippe 2 and Shopinski 1.