Paul VI led 22-15 after the first quarter and continued to stretch its lead into the second quarter after starting on a 5-0 run sparked by a mid-range shot from Duke commit
Darren Harris followed by a 3-pointer from the left wing from
Garrett Sundra.
Wheeler quickly responded with a 6-0 counted on a made 3-pointer from
Ricky McKenzie and an and-one bucket from
Isaiah Collier to cut the deficit to 27-21. Following a basket from
Patrick Ngongba, the Wildcats went on another 5-0 run with McKenzie scoring back-to-back baskets.
Paul VI responded with a strong end to the first half, closing the period on a 9-0 run that culminated with a made layup with 20 seconds remaining from freshman
Jordan Smith to give the Panthers a 38-26 advantage.
The runs continued to open the second half as Wheeler responded to a double-digit halftime deficit with seven consecutive points out of the break. Collier knocked down a 3-pointer from the left wing before Iowa State signee
Jelani Hamilton scored four straight.
Paul VI pushed its lead back to double-digits quickly as the Panthers responded to the Peach State powerhouse with five consecutive points before a Hamilton 3-pointer made things 43-36.
After a small 6-2 surge from the Panthers, Wheeler closed the third quarter trailing 51-45.
A slow start to the final quarter saw four combined points over 4:30 before Harris-Smith converted 1-of-2 from the charity stripe to give the Panthers a 56-49 advantage with 3:21 remaining.
The Wildcats quickly cut the lead to 56-53 after a 3-pointer from the right corner from McKenzie off an assist from Collier.
After the teams traded baskets with Harris-Smith scoring before a left-handed layup from Collier, responded with a basket from Sundra to make things 60-55 with 53 seconds remaining.
After a
Arrinten Page layup cut the deficit back to a single possession with 39 seconds remaining, the teams traded free-throws with Paul VI clinging to a 61-59 lead with 26 seconds remaining after Harris-Smith split a pair of free-throws.
With 13 seconds remaining on the other end, Page's right-handed baby hook to tie the ball game rimmed off the front iron.
Deshawn Harris-Smith was a key contributor in the win for the Panthers. (Photo: Jeff Robertson)
Deshawn Harris-Smith goes up for the contested layup in traffic during the Panthers win over the Wildcats. (Photo: Jeff Robertson)
