DUNCANVILLE, Texas — Putnam City North overcame inconsistent shooting to get by host Duncanville (Texas), 50-49, Friday (Nov. 28) at Thanksgiving Hoopfest.

In a battle between the Lady Panthers and Pantherettes, Duncanville opened up a 29-24 lead at halftime. North shot nearly 27 percent in the second quarter, compared to 75 percent for Duncanville.

North turned the tables in the and outscored Duncanville 15-6 to take a 39-35 lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Panthers went cold in the fourth quarter, connecting on only two of 13 shots from the field.

Senior Tehlia Kutsoati’s lone bucket of the game came at an opportune time. It gave North a 44-41 lead with 3:11 left in the game. That came after fellow senior Makiya Moore, a transfer from Classen S.A.S. split two free throws to give North the lead.

Kutsoati was fouled but missed her free throw. However, she grabbed the rebound. That led to senior Kiana Gray connecting on a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 47-41.

After a loose ball foul on the other end, Gray split two free throws to make it 48-41.

Duncanville scored on their next two possessions, including a 3-point play from sophomore Nadia Traylor to make it 48-46 with 1:29 left.

North drained the clock with passes around the perimeter until sophomore Jordan Lewis intercepted a pass and broke for the basket and a layup to tie the game, 48-48, with 43 seconds remaining.

North had scoring opportunities to extend the lead on the next possession but couldn’t get a shot to fall. Duncanville freshman Janiyah Anderson was called for a travel while falling backwards with the ball after a rebound with 22 seconds left.

Duncanville freshman Emerie Gonzalez then fouled North senior Jayla Constant, who sank both free throws to make it 50-48 with 17.6 seconds left.

On the other end, North senior Paige Williams fouled Traylor on a layup attempt with 4.6 seconds remaining. Traylor missed the first foul shot and made the second.

North was able to inbound the ball and sprint across midcourt as time expired for the win.

Senior Da’Nae Jefferson led North with 13 points and eight rebounds. Jefferson, a Northern Colorado signee, won a 6A title with Putnam City West in 2024 before playing at Grind Prep last season. She hit 6 of 11 shots from the field and had three assists.

Constant, a UNLV signee, also was also on that West title team before going to Grind Prep. Constant scored 10 points, grabbed four rebounds and had three assists.

Gray scored 10 points and had two steals.

Williams, a transfer from Classen S.A.S., scored six points, had seven rebounds and two steals.

Junior Demy Howard also scored six points. Howard grabbed six rebounds.

UP NEXT

North faces DeSoto (Texas) Saturday (Nov. 29) at 8 p.m. at Sandra Meadows Memorial Arena for their last game of Thanksgiving Hoopfest.

The Eagles are 8-3. They beat Wylie East (Texas), 52-40 on Nov. 22.

DeSoto was 20-17 a season ago and fell in the regional semifinals of 6A Division 2 in Texas.

	1	2	3	4	F
Putnam City North (1-0)	16	8	15	11	50
Duncanville (4-4)	14	15	6	14	49