MUSTANG – Putnam City North held an early 5-0 lead in the first quarter over Mustang.

Things went badly from there as the shots were off or short, the intensity waned and the Broncos routed the Panthers to win the Bank 7 Mustang Holiday Classic, 65-31, Saturday night (Dec. 30).

Unlike North’s big win over Class 5A power Carl Albert Friday, after the early lead on Saturday, the points came few and far between.

Junior point guard Anthony Leonard got a bucket at the 7:40 mark of the second quarter and North trailed, 12-9. He then hit two free throws at the 4:36 mark making the score 19-11.

North wouldn’t score again until sophomore point Khalil Williams hit two free throw with 5:50 left in the third quarter and the rout was on, 37-13.

Junior guard Khai Brown hit a free throw to make it 44-14 at 3:43 The Panthers wouldn’t score another field goal until 1:59 left in the third when Brown scored a bucket and was fouled. He hit the free throw and North trailed, 46-17.

North (6-6) shot 19 percent from the field in the first half and 25.6 percent for the game.

“We just couldn’t make any shots,” North coach Mike Jeffries said. “From that point, it kind of spiraled downhill.”

The Broncos (8-3) had three players in double figures, led by junior forward Roman Miller, who scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Sophomore guard Jaden Johnson added 12 points and 10 boards. Jaytee Johnson scored 11 points.

The Panthers were outrebounded 44-21 and defensive lapses gave a hot-shooting Mustang team opportunities.

“I mean, the energy wasn’t there. Just came out flat all the way around.” Jeffries said. “What do you do after that?”

The loss has Jeffries and the young Panthers searching for answers after the high from the Carl Albert win to the low on Saturday.

“A lot of these guys haven’t been in this position before, playing in the championship game. So, coming out there and, you know, coming off that high,” Jeffries said. “They just gotta understand how to keep the momentum going.”

While his team’s mindset is an issue, Jeffries sees some strategic issues as well.

“You got to be a little bit more patient offensively. Keep moving. Look to attack instead of just settling for threes.”

Brown led North with 12 points, four rebounds, six assists and two blocks.

Leonard finished with nine points and was named to the All-Tournament team.

UP NEXT: The Panthers will compete in the Putnam City Invitational Jan. 4-6. North will meet tournament host Putnam City (3-5) Thursday (Jan. 4) at 8 p.m.

TEAM	1	2	3	4	F
Putnam City North	7	4	12	8	31
Mustang	12	16	21	16	65