Baytown, Texas ? The Panola College men?s basketball team lost to Lee College here Saturday evening, 90-81. The loss drops the Ponies record to 12-6 and 4-3 in Region 14 play. ?We had opportunities to finish the ball game.? Stated head coach Grant McMillan. ?Their length bothered us at the end of the game and our turnovers led to too many easy baskets.? He added.

Panola started strong out of the gate and took a 13 point lead, 27-14. Lee battled back to take a four point lead 43-39 with just over 4:00 remaining in the half. A late flurry of baskets gave Panola a 51-45 halftime lead. Panola maintained a steady lead most of the second half before Lee took a 75-74 lead with 5:51 remaining in the ball game. Both teams went back and forth before a Lee three point play gave them a 5 point lead, 83-78 and ultimately the victory.

Marlon Taylor had his best statistical game of the year netting 25 points and chasing down 11 rebounds. Devyn Wilson and Tyonte Robertson both added 15 points. Rounding out the double-digit scores was Tope Arikawe with 12 points. KJ Byers had six rebound and four blocks in the loss. As a team, Panola committed 15 turnovers and only shot 39 percent from the field.

Panola has the bye next week before they host Navarro College next Saturday, January 21st. Tip-off is set for 4:00 PM in AJ Gym on the campus of Panola College.