Basketball Game Preview: Excel Panthers vs. T.R. Miller Tigers

Excel hasn't had much luck against T.R. Miller recently, but that could start to change on Monday. A feisty cat fight will be fought when the Excel Panthers face off against the T.R. Miller Tigers at 5:30 p.m. Both are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.

Having struggled with 22 losses in a row dating back to last season, Excel turned things around against Sweet Water on Thursday. They claimed a resounding 39-9 win over the Bulldogs. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest victory the Panthers have posted against the Bulldogs since February 2, 2018.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Excel to victory, but perhaps none more so than Camillia West, who posted six points in addition to 15 rebounds and six assists. The team also got some help courtesy of Alexis Crosby, who went 6 for 9 on her way to 12 points and eight rebounds.

Excel smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 15 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least ten offensive rebounds in 12 consecutive contests.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask T.R. Miller). They simply couldn't be stopped on Thursday as they easily beat Flomaton 67-11. The Tigers have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won nine games by 22 points or more this season.

T.R. Miller pushed their record up to 13-1 with the win, which was their 14th straight at home dating back to last season. Those victories came thanks to their defensive effort, having only surrendered 17.1 points per game. As for Excel, their victory ended a 15-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 1-13.

Excel was taken down by T.R. Miller 50-8 when the teams last played back in December of 2023. Can Excel avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.