Gardner’s shot at buzzer lifts Panthers over Licking

Kale Gardner hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Mountain Grove Panthers’ basketball team over Licking in a classic between the two programs last week, 76-73.
Both teams scored 20 points in the opening quarter as Sam Paterson had nine points for the Panthers.
Brody Emery came up big in the second quarter with 12 points. Gardner added five points as Mountain Grove had a slight edge at halftime.
Gardner scored 10 of his team’s 14 points in the third quarter to help Mountain Grove keep pace with the Wildcats on Licking’s home floor.
In the fourth quarter, the Panthers overcame Licking’s four 3-pointers as they ended the contest with one of their own at the buzzer for the victory.
Gardner finished the contest with 26 points; Emery added 17 points; Peterson scored 15 points; Aden Estep had 14 points; and Eli Golden had two points.
The Panthers ended their week by opening South Central Association (SCA) Conference play with a tough 53-50 loss to Liberty (Mountain View).
The Eagles went up six early before Gardner scored six points in the second quarter to cut the lead to seven at the break.
Gardner added 11 points in a 17-point third quarter, but the Panthers could not complete their rally.
Gardner finished the game with 24 points for the Panthers; both Emery and Peterson had eight points; Estep scored five points; Golden had three points; and JP Dickey scored two points.