In the third game of a Friday night quad, the Panther Creek Catamounts traveled to Green Level High School to take on your Gator women’s basketball team. The girls suffered a tough eight-point loss in early January on the road. This game offered an opportunity for the Gators to win a huge game in the Swamp.

Early on Panther Creek had control taking a five-point lead into the second quarter, but a strong offensive surge by the Gators turned the game around in the second quarter taking a one-point lead into the locker rooms at the half.

Gators kept up more of the same in the third quarter with a strong all-around performance from Audrey Erickson who had a steal, three rebounds, and five points to help your Gators widen their lead to 9 points which was the largest lead of the half.

Madison Nereu opened the fourth quarter with a pair of made free throws to push the lead to double digits. Panther Creek came down the court and drew a foul but missed both free throws. Madison Nereu earned another trip to the free thrown line and sank one of two shots pushing the lead to 12.

After a few strong defensive possessions by both teams, the Gators decided to slow the game down to try and hold their lead but Panther Creeks press was causing the Gators many problems. Panther Creek forced a turnover and drained a three narrowing the Gator lead. Panther Creek hit another three shrinking the Green Level lead to just three points.

Maria Savvun broke the press off of an assist from Kelli Cain to push the lead to five points with a minute remaining. A great shot contest from Maria Savvun forced a missed shot by Panther Creek and gave the Gators possession again. After a Panther Creek foul, Kelli Cain took a visit to the free-throw line and drained both shots to extend the lead to seven points with 42 seconds left in the game.

The next Panther Creek possession made things scary for the Gators when the Catamounts drained a corner three after just 8 seconds. Panther Creek forced another turnover and drained another corner three off of the inbound making it just a one-point game. However the Gators tapped into their clutch gene, Maria Savvun drew a foul and hit both free throws. Panther Creek drew a foul right back and closed the game back to one point. The game ended with Maria Savvun once again at the line where she hit one of two free throws. The Gators executed a successful defensive possession which did not allow the Catamounts to shoot a potential game-winner as the clock expired with the ball still in Panther Creek possession.

The Gators are back in action next week at home against Green Hope on Tuesday for senior night, away at Middle Creek on Wednesday, and are primed for another Friday night showdown at home against Apex Friendship. Good luck Gators!