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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

MONTEVALLO – The Pelham Panthers bounced back from a loss in their area opener with a 52-40 win against the Montevallo Bulldogs on Monday, Jan. 8 at the University of Montevallo’s Trustmark Arena.

Pelham got going early from deep, jumping ahead of their county foe with a trio of three-pointers, including two from Egypt Daniel.

Those baskets helped the Panthers outscore the Bulldogs 11-5 in the first quarter and establish an early six-point lead.

Montevallo’s offense responded from there with a 14-point second quarter highlighted by six points from Dee Cutts and five from Ja’Von Chism.

Pelham kept pace with a 12-point quarter as the offenses battled it out before halftime. Dynarion Long and Daniel each scored five points in the second to lead 23-19 at the break.

While Cutts and Chism continued to provide offense for the Bulldogs, Daniel hit his fourth three-pointer of the game in the third quarter to increase the lead to five going into the final eight minutes.

While Montevallo was within striking distance of the lead at the start of the fourth quarter, Pelham shot well from the free throw line and the field to pull away for the win.

Four different Panthers made a field goal and the team shot 10-for-13 from the foul line to outscore the Bulldogs by eight in the fourth and put the game out of reach.

Daniel led Pelham with 14 points off 4-for-9 shooting from long-range and earned three rebounds. Long followed closely behind with 13 points.

Eli Lewis had six points, seven rebounds and two blocks, Joe Wimberly scored five points and secured eight rebounds and six steals and Jayden Robinson and Jordan Henschel each scored five points.

For Montevallo, Cutts had a game-high 17 points and Chism scored eight points.

Pelham will resume area play on Friday, Jan. 12 with a rivalry battle with Helena at 7:30 p.m. at Pelham High School, while Montevallo will travel to Holt on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. for its third area game of the year.