Corsicana, Texas ? The Panola College men?s basketball team defeated Navarro College here Saturday evening, 76-71. With the victory, Panola raises their record to 18-7 and 10-4 in Region 14 play. ?Our guys just never gave up. It was that simple.? Coach Grant McMillan mentioned. ?They looked each other in the eye and help each other accountable. I was a proud coach after the game.? He added.

The game was delayed three hours due to a tire blowout leaving Panola stranded in Jacksonville, Texas waiting for repairs.

Panola found themselves down early in the first half, 12-12 with 11:03 remaining. It was much of the same for the rest of the half as the Ponies were down 42-29 at halftime. Navarro increased their lead to 16 points with 15:33 remaining in the game before Panola began to claw back. A TJ Killings dunk with 9:09 remaining in the game cut the Navarro lead to 57-51. Later in the half, Keith Hayes was fouled on a layup, after review the officials called an intentional foul. Hayes made both free throws and another layup on the ensuing possession giving him six straight. Devyn Wilson hit a three pointer with 41.5 seconds remaining to ice the game.

Hayes led the way offensively for the Ponies with 17 points. Tope Arikawe recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Eric McGill and Devyn Wilson both netted 10 points. As a team Panola only committed one turnover in the second half and held Navarro to just 29 second half points.

Panola continues Region 14 play when they host Trinity Valley Community College this upcoming Saturday, February 18th. Tip-off is set for 4:00 PM on the campus of Panola College.