Liberty knocks off Anahuac 51-42 in non-district play

ANAHUAC– The Liberty Panthers put together a big second quarter and made that stand up in a 51-42 victory over Anahuac on Tuesday afternoon in non-district action.  

The Battle of Panthers saw Anahuac get off to a good start, jumping out to a quick 10-0 lead.

Jaytwan Dowdye started things off with a bucket, and then Tre Smith scored after being fouled, and the advantage was 6-0. My Quiet Davis then scored on a pass from Smith and Anahuac was in front 10-0 to force a Liberty timeout.

Raif Parker got the visitors on the scoreboard with a jumper.

Elisha Mannino then scored on a drive for Anahuac to make it 14-8, but Liberty would answer with a three-pointer by Braydn Thibodeaux to cut the deficit to 16-11 after the opening quarter.

In the second quarter, it was all Liberty. Izaiah Williams scored with a finger-roll and then followed that up with a jumper, and Liberty led for the first time in the game at 19-18.

Williams then got a steal and a score to cap off a 10-0 run, and Liberty was in front 26-18.

Just before the end of the first half, Davis connected from downtown to pull Anahuac within 26-21, but Liberty would answer with a Seth Victorian three-pointer to lead 29-21 at the half.

Early in the third quarter, it was Dowdye scoring, and then Cullen Cotton hit a three-pointer, putting Anahuac down 39-32.

Maynard La Chapelle countered by grabbing an offensive rebound and scoring to give Liberty a 42-32 lead.

Moments later, it was La Chapelle hitting the offensive boards again and scoring and Liberty was up 46-34.

Anahuac stayed close with a bucket by Dowdye and a score on the inside by Brad Coates to pull within 48-38.

The home team would then run out of time as Liberty left town with the 51-42 win.

Victorian led Liberty with 13 points and Williams added 12. La Chapelle also finished in double figures with 11 points.

Davis led Anahuac with nine points, Dowdye finished with eight points and Cotton chipped in seven.