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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

PELHAM – After falling to the then-unbeaten Oak Mountain Eagles in their last game, the Pelham Panthers brushed off the result and got back to their winning ways, but it wasn’t easy.

Pelham defeated the Mountain Brook Spartans 39-35 on Thursday, Dec. 12 at Pelham High School to secure the team’s third win in the last four games.

However, Mountain Brook got out to the early advantage, scoring 11 points in the first quarter while holding the Panthers at an arm’s length to eight points.

Pelham’s defense flipped the script in the second quarter, surrendering just six points to give the offense a chance to rally back.

After Sam Tolbert, Kendall Smith, Jayden Robinson and Greyson Childress provided the points in the first quarter, a completely new cast of scorers got the job done in the second quarter.

Trey Pittman hit a 3-pointer, Egypt Daniel got onto the scoresheet with a field goal and Eli Lewis and Jacob Gibbs each hit free throws.

The Panthers remained down at the half, but they were within immediate striking distance while trailing just 17-16.

The defenses continued to dominate for both teams, and Pelham held the Spartans to just seven points in the third and just a lone 3-pointer from the field.

The Panthers broke through Mountain Brook’s defense three times for another 3-pointer from Pittman and baskets from Daniel and Smith to tie the game up at 24-24 going into the fourth quarter.

The teams continued to trade blows down the stretch, but it was Pelham’s performance from the free throw line that made the difference down the stretch. Daniel went 4-for-4 from the free throw line to cap off a nine-point quarter and the Panthers went 8-for-10 as a team from the charity stripe.

That helped Pelham finish off the hard-fought four-point win at home.

Daniel led the Panthers with 14 points. Smith finished with seven points and Pittman scored six points off a pair of 3-pointers.

Pelham will be back in action on Monday, Dec. 16 as the Mortimer Jordan Blue Devils visit for a game at 7:30 p.m.