It wasn’t easy but the Permian boys basketball team passed its first test in District 2-6A play with a 66-56 win over San Angelo Central Friday at Permian Fieldhouse.
Playing in their district opener, the Panthers improved to 16-7 overall, 1-0 in district play.
The Bobcats fell to 18-9, 0-1.
“The first district game is always important so that’s the way we wanted to start off,” Permian head coach Steven Flores said. “We’re taking it one game at a time. Starting off 1-0 is big for us. It gets us off on the right foot.”
Permian built a 14-point lead in the first quarter but San Angelo Central never went away.
However, the Panthers were able to make the baskets when it mattered and kept the Bobcats at a safe distance.
“They’re a good team. they’ve won 18 games for a reason,” Flores said. “They have size so I knew they were going to slow us down. In the second quarter, we slowed up and it played right into our hands.”
Permian’s Ben Saldivar led the team in scoring with 24 points while Ryale Moses had 12 and J’sia McCowen had eight.
San Angelo Central was led by Christian English’s 18 points while Kollin Allbright had 11.
Permian took an early lead thanks to an inside shot by McCowen for a 4-2 lead.
Ben Saldivar scored a 3-pointer soon after and it was a five-point lead for the Panthers.
Saldivar scored another 3-pointer and the Panthers remained in control.
The Panthers ended the first quarter ahead 18-4.
Permian began the second quarter on a 6-4 run.
However, the Bobcats weren’t done and used an explosive second quarter to pull to a 29-22 deficit at halftime.
The Panthers used a 6-4 run to begin the third quarter.
Javariane Beck’s inside shot gave Permian a 39-28 lead with 2:49 left in the quarter.
Rylale Moses followed it up with an inside jumper of his own and the Panthers extended their lead before San Angelo Central called a timeout.
The Bobcats came out of the timeout with a 3-pointer by Christian English to make it a 10-point game.
It was soon 41-34 as the Bobcats refused to give in.
But McCowen was fouled while scoring a layup and converted the three-point play for a 44-34 lead, heading into the fourth quarter.
Moses began the quarter with an inside jumper for the Panthers.
However, things started to get hectic as a technical foul was called on Permian’s Jamibrione Anderson for pushing English.
English was sent to the line where he made three shots.
The Bobcats continued to eat at the Panthers’ advantage and the Panthers’ lead was reduced to 46-40 with 6:31 remaining.
The Panthers however used a strong run and took a 52-40 lead with 4:13 remaining.
Saldivar scored an inside basket to give Permian a 10-point lead with 2:48 left on the clock.
But like the majority of the game, the Bobcats narrowed the game to single digits.
Permian’s lead was 60-52 with 1:18 remaining.
But free throws by Saldivar put the lead back at ten points for Permian.
Permian will next face Midland Legacy at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at home.
San Angelo Central will face Midland High on the road at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Midland.
