Thursday, January 10

The Thetford Panthers were too much for the Canaan Eagles Thursday night. The Panthers came into the game with a 9-2 record and a #3 ranking in Division III. The Eagles were clearly outmatched and unable to compete with Thetford, who cruised to victory in a 73-33 rout.

From start to finish, the Panthers controlled the pace of the game. The Eagles tied that game at 6-6 in the opening minutes, and that was as close as they would get. Thetford overpowered the Eagles inside, dominating the glass on both ends while jumping out to a 25-11 lead after eight minutes.

The Canaan defense slowed the scoring somewhat in the second quarter, but were still outscored 14-8. Thetford continued to work the ball effectively inside, and held a 20 point lead at halftime, 39-19.

Visibly distraught, the Eagles came out flat in the second half. Thetford quickly widened to 30 in the opening minutes of the third quarter and, for all intensive purposes, put this game away. Connor Daley was the lone bright spot for the Eagles offensively, connecting on several tough jumpers in the second half.

Play was a bit chippy at times. Jake Smith and a Thetford Panther received a double-foul for excessive contact after a rebound near the end of the first half. Another Thetford Panther received a technical foul in the fourth quarter for shoving Zack Daley after Daley had committed a hard foul.

The loss drops the Eagles below .500 for the first time this season at 4-5.