Kingwood Park slips past Dayton 48-40

The Dayton Broncos went toe-to-toe with first place Kingwood Park on Wednesday night at home and played with the Panthers the whole way but fell just a little short at the end in a 48-40 loss in district action. Dayton grabbed an early 5-3 advantage thanks to a three-pointer by Gilbert Sanchez. Later in the opening period. Landon Baldwin had a nice drive and score to make it 10-9. Kingwood Park scored just before the end of the quarter to lead n-10 after one. The lead vanished early in the second quarter with Brice Payton scoring from downtown, and the Broncos moved back in front13-n. The Broncos then took their biggest lead of the game a few minutes later, with Sanchez hitting again from downtown, and the advantage was up to 21-14 with 5:05 left in the first half. The Panthers then dominated the rest of the period and finished the half on an 11-1 run to lead 25-22 at the intermission. Kingwood Park continued their run and started the third quarter on a 7-0 run to build their lead to 32-22 before a three-pointer by Baldwin stopped the run and moved Dayton within 32-25. The Panthers built their lead to 40-29 midway through the final period, and then a bucket by Baldwin made it 40-31. On the next Bronco trip down the court, it was Tanner Boufford pulling up for a jumper, and Dayton was within 40-33 with 2:45 left in the game. After a Kingwood Park score, Payton scored on a three-point play to make it 42-36. That would be the closed the Broncos would get the rest of the way as the Panthers hit some free throws to secure the win. Baldwin led Dayton with 13 points and Payton added 8. The Broncos will close out their season next Saturday at home against Lake Creek.