SILOAM SPRINGS -- With foul after foul being called on Siloam Springs in the first quarter of their season opener, the Lions looked like they might have a chance in the very physical game Thursday in Panther Arena.
But the Panthers put their game plan in place and kept the Lions away from the goal to run past Gravette, 56-29.
"I couldn't be more pleased with the energy and effort of our guys," said Panthers coach Tim Stewart. "We came out and it was a little physical early -- a lot of fouls called. We were really proud of how our guys handled that and kept their composure ... The kids were really coachable. We went to our zone and they did a great job."
The Panthers were whistled for 11 fouls in the first quarter and Gravette was already in the double bonus at the end of the quarter.
But the Lions were unable to capitalize, missing their first nine free throws.
"We went on a bad stretch at the free throw line. I was hoping in the second quarter things would even out a little bit. Siloam and Coach Stewart do a good job. They were ready. They made some plays against us and got us in trouble," said Gravette coach Greg White.
Siloam Springs took advantage of those missed opportunities, going on an 11-0 run to go up 15-7 after a three-point play from Tyler Newton to start the second quarter.
Newton and Luke Loveless would combine to score 17 of the Panthers' 21 points in the second quarter as Siloam Springs blew open the contest and took a 34-15 lead at halftime. Newton and Loveless each hit 3-pointers in the second quarter.
The Panthers settled into their 3-2 zone defensively and forced the Lions into several turnovers and missed shots.
"Their zone has always given us fits, and it's one of the things we didn't do a good job of handling in the second quarter," said White, who was an assistant coach at Springdale High School the last several years.
Siloam Springs senior Brandon Johnson got going in the second half. He hit a 3-pointer to make it 38-18 and followed that with back-to-back buckets.
Loveless led Siloam Springs with 13 points, while Newton had 12 points and Johnson 10 points.
"It's fun to see our kids stepping up and maturing," Stewart said.
Eleven different players broke into the scoring column for Siloam Springs. The entire fourth quarter was played with a running clock.
Cole Turner led Gravette (0-1) with eight points, while Zac Carlton scored six for the Lions.
Graham Thomas contributed to this report.
Sports on 11/26/2014