Big run lifts Delta over Dogs

By DREW STAMBAUGH

Expositor Sports Editor

DELTA - The Delta Panthers jumped all over Swanton early with a huge run and never looked back defeating the Bulldogs 66-34. The win moves the first place Panthers to 5-0 in the Northwest Ohio Athletic League.

A basket by Austin Abbott made gave Delta a 8-2 lead with 2:44 remaining in the opening period of the game. Nate Jackson added a bucket to make it 10-2.

Louis Miller cut the lead to six with a Swanton bucket, but Delta finished the scoring for the quarter. Josh Beverly hit a pull up jumper and Ryan Callahan made one free throw for a 13-4 Panther lead after one quarter.

Delta continued to expand their lead as they continued what became a 17-1 run over the opening two periods.

Jeremy Navarro started the quarter with a drive to the bucket for a 15-4 lead. Ryan Johnson answered for Swanton with a free throw.

Delta then reeled off 12 straight points. Navarro and Beverly quickly added buckets and it was 19-5.

Drew Salsbury scored on a put back and Jackson added a basket for an 18 point cushion. Salsbury put in another basket after an offensive rebound before Jordan Turner scored to make it 27-5 with 3:30 remaining in the opening half.

The run finally came to an end when Johnson put back a blocked shot with 3:15 left in the quarter. The basket was the first from the floor in the quarter for the Dogs.

Swanton cut into the lead with two more baskets but still had a long way to go. Travis Hilton and Johnson scored to cut the lead to 27-11 with 2:14 left in the half.

Jerred Peabody would sink a three pointer for Swanton late in the quarter, but two Jackson buckets helped Delta to an insurmountable 34-14 halftime lead.

Jackson tallied 15 points and Salsbury 14 to lead the Panthers (10-3, 5-0).

Peabody had seven to lead Swanton (5-8, 1-4). Delta held Johnson, the NWOAL's current leading scorer, to six points.

On Saturday, Swanton fell behind Genoa 17-7 after one period and lost 68-51 on Saturday. Johnson led the Bulldogs with 20.

Also on Saturday, Delta fell to Springfield 70-58. Turner tallied 15 points and Beverly 10.