Northern Tier Sports ReportROME — NEB blitzed Wyalusing to a 69-19 win during NTL boys’ basketball action Tuesday. The Panthers used a pressing defense and strong offensive rebounding game to build a 49-10 first half lead.
“It was just one of those nights where everything seemed to click fo runs, and it didn’t seem to click right for them,” said NEB coach Paul Burgert. “I was super proud of our effort, and our unselfish play. Coach Keyes is a great coach, they just didn’t have it. It was just one of those things where things broke our way early.”
NEB shot 53-percent from the floor, 58-percent from inside the arc as they forced 28 turnovers and had 11 offensive rebounds.
Clay Wilks shot 7-for-12 for 16 points to go with seven boards, and three steals to lead the Panthers, as Eli Stanton and Mac Burgert had 14 points each. Stanton shot 6-for-9 with four assists, and four steals, as Burgert shot 5-for-8 with five steals.
Cooper Brown had 10 points, five boards, three assists, and two steals, while Nate Gross finished with eight points.
Dayton Russell had five points, five boards, and two steals, as Landon Knolles added two points. Daniel Barrett chipped in with six boards, and two steals.
Tyler Caplan led Wyalusing with 11 points while Myles Kershner netted four. Mason Culver had two with Aidan Neiley and Jared VandeMark both adding one.
It was 27-7 after the opening frame behind 10 points from Stanton - usually fast break lay-ups - and eight out of Brown.
NEB out scored the Rams 22-3 in the second quarter as Wilks netted six, and Russell added five.
In the Panthers’ 16 point third quarter Burgert hit two of this three 3-pointers on the day to finish with eight points to lead NEB.
NEB won the JV game 41-23 behind 12 points from Gross.
NEB (6-0) will travel to Troy on Thursday, while Wyalusing (2-3) hosts Sayre.
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PHOTOS BY CHRIS MANNING & ELENA MANNING
