The Delta Panthers were the 78-27 winner over the Rifle Bears when they last played one another back in January of 2023, but their luck changed this time around. Delta took a 66-50 bruising from Rifle on Tuesday. Delta found out winning isn't easy when you make six fewer threes than your opponent.
Delta lost despite a true team effort on the offense, the best among them being Tucker Johnson, who scored 22 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Erik Baier, who dropped a double-double on 12 points and 14 rebounds.
Logan Gross was his usual excellent self, scoring 25 points for Rifle. Sterling Cook was another key contributor, scoring 14 points.
Delta's defeat dropped their record down to 4-7. As for Rifle, their win ended a four-game drought at home and bumped them up to 3-10.
Delta will take on Aspen at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Aspen is looking to tack on another W to their four-game streak on the road. As for Rifle, they will take on Coal Ridge at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Hopefully Coal Ridge focused on turnovers this week since the team gave up 19 last Saturday.