PANAMA - Not even Alec Blose's four 3-pointers and career-high 28 points could lift Panama past visiting Cassadaga Valley on Thursday night.
Blose, who also recorded five assists and five rebounds, kept his squad afloat for much of the contest, but a strong third quarter by the Cougars (and an average one by the Panthers) was enough to clinch Cassadaga Valley a 57-43 non-league victory.
Cassadaga Valley is now 3-0 on the season.
Article Photos
David Carlson of Cassadaga Valley, left, blocks a shot by Panama’s Brandon Lewis during Thursday night’s non-league boys basketball game.
See additional photos at cu.post-journal.com.
P-J photo by Lisa Monacelli
Leading by just five, 26-21, at the break, Cassadaga Valley outscored the hosts 22-10 during the third frame to take a comfortable, 48-31 advantage heading into the final quarter.
Cody Johnson netted 18 points with six rebounds for the victors while Tim Bender chipped in with 13 points and Randy Dalaba recorded a double-double behind 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Brandon Lewis followed Blose with nine points.
Panama, off to a 1-3 start, will be looking to get back on track on Monday at 7:30 p.m., when they host Franklinville in their season-opening league game.
CASSADAGA VALLEY (57)
Bender 5 2 13, Ruge 1 1 4, Parsons 0 0 0, Jones 0 0 0, Dalaba 2 6 10, Schauman 0 0 0, Lancaster 3 2 8, Johnson 7 2 18, Meadows 0 0 0, Carlson 2 0 4. Totals 20 13 57.
PANAMA (43)
KEddy 0 0 0, REddy 1 2 4, Blose 9 6 28, Kirby 1 0 2, Lank 0 0 0, Rensel 0 0 0, Franzen 0 0 0, Lewis 4 1 9. Totals 15 9 43.
3-points goals: Bender, Ruge, Johnson 2, Blose 4.
Cassadaga Valley12 14 22 9 - 57
Panama12 9 10 12 - 43