The Austin Panthers basketball squad (El Paso, TX), was nudged 40-37 in Friday's non-league battle with the visiting Santa Teresa Desert Warriors (Santa Teresa, NM)

With the victory, Santa Teresa advances its record to 5-6 on the year. The Desert Warriors travel to Gadsden (Anthony, NM) to meet the Panthers in a non-league battle on Saturday, December 28. The Panthers enter the battle with a record of 4-6. Gadsden lost 56-39 in their recent non-league battle against Artesia (Artesia, NM)

The Panthers now own a 6-13 record. They put it on the line next when they travel to Bowie for a 4A Region I District 1 battle on Tuesday, January 7. Austin will meet a Bears squad coming off a 35-33 league win over Irvin (El Paso, TX). The Bears record now stands at 6-7.