Basketball Game Preview: Evansville Reitz Panthers vs. Pike Red Devils

The Evansville Reitz Panthers and the Pike Red Devils will round out the year against one another at at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Evansville Reitz knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with 55 points or more in their past five matchups -- so hopefully Pike likes a good challenge.

While Evansville Reitz didn't have the best season last year (they finished 8-13), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They claimed a resounding 87-44 win over Madisonville-North Hopkins. With the Panthers ahead 51-20 at the half, the contest was all but over already.

Evansville Reitz can attribute much of their success to Lavell Tinsley, who went 9 of 17 en route to 21 points and six rebounds, and Jaylan Mitchell, who dropped a double-double on 12 points and 11 boards. Mitchell is on a roll when it comes to boards, as he's now pulled down 11 or more in the last three games he's played. Another player making a difference was Jayce Swanson, who posted 11 points.

Evansville Reitz smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 17 offensive boards. That's the most offensive rebounds they've managed all season.

Meanwhile, Pike ended up a good deal behind Anderson on Saturday and lost 79-63. The Red Devils have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.

Evansville Reitz's victory bumped their record up to 5-0. As for Pike, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-2.