The Litchfield Purple Panthers, coming around the final stretch of their 2016-2017 campaign, wrapped up their road games on Friday night in Greenville in a South Central Conference match up. This contest would quickly get out of hand as the Comets would walk away with a 71-31 South Central Conference victory.

The Comets, 5-2 in the South Central Conference, would jump out ahead of the Purple Panthers, 1-6 in the South Central Conference, early in this contest.

Greenville would get the scoring kicked off when Ryan Hutchinson connected on a three point field goal 17 seconds into the contest. Hutchinson's three pointer would start a scoring flurry for the Comets, as they would explode for 19 points in the first seven minutes of action in the first quarter.

On the other side of the court the Purple Panthers would come out nearly as cold as the temperature was outside the gym. Litchfield would not be able to put a point on the scoreboard until the last minute of the quarter.

The Comets defense would be a big factor in the offense struggles for the Purple Panthers. The Purple Panthers would only get six shots off the entire first quarter and would turn the ball over 10 times.

Cam Morris would connect on the first basket for the Purple Panthers with 53 seconds remaining in the quarter. Morris' basket would stop the scoreless streak for the Purple Panthers and the 19 point run by the Comets.

The Comets would get four more points in the the last 50 seconds and Sam Middleton would connect on the Purple Panthers' fourth point of the game as Greenville would be in full control of this contest with a 24-4 lead after the first quarter. The Comets' Hutchinson would have the hot hand in the quarter as he connected on three three-point field goals to give him nine first quarter points.

The second quarter would be almost a repeat of the first quarter as the Comets' offense and defense remained in full control of the contest. The Comets would connect on 20 more points in the second quarter giving them 44 at the half.

The Purple Panthers would be able to triple their point production from the first quarter as they connected on 14 second quarter points. Seth McGill and Alex Bishop would collect six of the 14 points from behind the arc. Brady Simpson would lead all scorers in the first half with 12 points, seven in the first quarter and five in the second for Greenville. Sam Middleton would lead the Purple Panthers with six points as Litchfield trailed Greenville 44-18 at the half.

The Comets would cruise through the second half as they would outscore Litchfield 27-13 in the final two quarters of action. The young Purple Panthers, continuing with growing pains, would get some quality minutes from their non-starters in the final half. Keating Monroe would lead the Purple Panthers in the second half with four points and Billy Beckham would connect on two free throws.

The Comets would take this contest with a final score of 71-31. The loss would drop Litchfield to 5-20 overall and 1-6 in the South Central Conference. The young Purple Panthers will be more than happy to put this week away as they were outscored 145-79 in their two contests this week.

Next will be a new week for the Purple Panthers as they begin a four game home stand starting with county rival Lincolnwood on Tuesday and SCC opponent Carlinville on Friday.

February 3 at Greenville

Litchfield 4 14 10 3 - 31

Greenville 24 20 11 16 - 71

Litchfield (31) - Sam Middleton 7, Alex Bishop 5, Cam Morris 5, Keating Monroe 4, Seth McGill 3, Sam Painter 3, Dylan Hemann 2, Billy Beckham 2.

Greenville (71) - Brady Simpson 17, Ryan Hutchinson 12, Hunter Gray 8, Kaleb Ephron 6, Christian Moss 6, Lucas Carlson 6, Brandon Hamel 6, Brock Nelson 6, Chad Stearns 4.

Three-point field goals: Litchfield 3 (Bishop 1, Morris 1, McGill 1); Greenville 6 (Hutchinson 3, Nelson 2, Hamel 1).

Records: Litchfield (5-20, 1-6); Greenville (5-2).

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