The Selm Times-Journal

Francis Marion gave the Southside Panthers all they could handle for three and a half quarters. But down the stretch, the Panthers proved too much for the Runnin’ Rams en route to winning their 17th game of the season by the tally of 55-37.

During the first half the Rams, who were led in scoring by Edward Hinkle’s 14 points, 12 of which came from first half three-pointers, never led the margin between them and the No. 1 team in 4A extend beyond 13 points. at the end of the first period, Southside led 16-9 and then pushed it 27-14 at the intermission.

During those two period, Francis Marion had brought the score to within three, 6-3 and then within nine, 21-12 before the Panthers were able to push it back out to a double-digit margin.

During the second half, the Rams were able to keep the lead within 10 points 35-25 but, once again the Panthers, this time led by their senior center, Jeffery Anderson pushed the lead back out to 12 points before ending the third frame leading by 14, 39-25.

Anderson finished the game with 19 points.

Southside used the fourth period to run down the clock. This forced Francis Marion out of their zone defense and into a press. Southside took their first shot of the final frame with 5:55 left on the playclock.

The Runnin’Rams attempted to make a run for the lead led by baskets from Kevin Curry, but Southside was able to stay a handful of baskets ahead, en route to the victory.

Curry finished the night with nine points.

For Southside, Travis Shine finished with 10 points.

In earlier action, the Francis Marion JV squad fell to Southside 44-35 while the Lady Rams used a 11-6 first period run to score a 53-46 victory over the Lady Panthers.