NORMAN — Putnam City North advanced to the title game of the Joe Lawson Memorial Invitational with a 79-43 win over Norman North Friday (Dec. 12).

“Another good team win,” Putnam City North coach DJ Lemons said via text. “We challenged the players tonight to compete all 32 minutes. As a coaching staff, we feel like we can get after it on both ends, but we have to sustain that high energy and competitiveness throughout the whole game from the starters to the bench.”

Leading 13-10 after one quarter, the Panthers widened the lead by outscoring the Timberwolves 27-18 en route to a 40-30 halftime lead.

“That secnd unit Devion Gillispie, CJ Heskett and Miles Jackson did a great job in the second quarter. The start of the third quarter, the starters set the tone early,” Lemons said.

The Panthers’ halftime lead ballooned to 30 points in the third quarter, 63-33.

Senior Mekhi Thomas led the Panthers with 14 points. Murry added a 12-point day

Jackson and senior TJ McNeely each scored eight points. Jackson added six rebounds, three assists and two steals.

As a team, North shot 64 percent from the field.

Sophomore Devion Gillispie grabbed seven rebounds in the win. Junior Malakye Schoats snagged five steals.

UP NEXT

North (7-1) meets 5A Del City (4-1) for the tournament championship Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Norman North.

On Saturday, the Eagles beat Norman, 56-51.

	1	2	3	4	F
Putnam City North (7-1)	13	27	23	16	79
Norman North (3-1)	10	8	15	10	43