A familiar rivalry delivered another competitive chapter as Pana and Central A&M met in a tightly contested battle that stayed close from start to finish. With the two programs and communities deeply connected, the atmosphere matched the intensity on the floor as neither team was able to create much separation throughout the first half.
Both the Panthers and Raiders traded baskets early, setting the tone for a physical, fast-paced matchup. Pana was sparked offensively by Maddyx Angel, who caught fire from beyond the arc and provided a steady scoring punch when the Panthers needed it most. Central A&M answered with relentless effort on the defensive end, led by Aiden Sites, whose scrappy play forced several turnovers and helped keep the Raiders within striking distance.
The back-and-forth nature of the game continued into the second half, with momentum swinging multiple times as each team made runs. Central A&M’s pressure defense created opportunities, but Pana showed poise down the stretch, executing offensively and making key plays to maintain control in the closing minutes.
In the end, the Panthers’ composure proved to be the difference, as Pana pulled away late to secure a 54–47 victory over the Raiders.
Both teams now turn their attention to holiday tournament play. Pana will travel to Vandalia looking to build on the win, while Central A&M heads to Effingham aiming to regroup and gain momentum heading into the second half of the season.