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NDL/Photo Crystin Faenza Senior Darrin Quarles shoots the ball for the Panthers during their game against in the Allen County-Scottsville Patriots on Monday. The Panthers won 66-60 which advances them to the semifinal game Friday night against Russell County.

NDL Photo/Crystin Faenza Barrett Croslin fights to the hoop during their game against the Allen County-Scottsville Patriots on Monday. The Panthers won 66-60 which advanced them to the semifinal game this Friday against Russell County.

NDL Photo/Crystin Faenza Senior Zach Hines shoots a layup for the Panthers during their quarterfinal game of regionals on Monday. The Panthers won 66-60 against the Allen County-Scottsville Patriots.

NDL Photo/Crystin Faenza Lee McMurry goes up for a layup during the quarterfinal game of regionals on Monday held at Diddle Arena. The Panthers won 66-60 which advances them to the semi final game tonight against Russell County.

NDL Photo/Crystin Faenza Christian Naylor moves the ball down the court during their quarterfinal game of regionals on Monday. The Panthers won 66-60 against the Allen County-Scottsville Patriots.

NDL Photo/Crystin Faenza Senior Jordan Kennedy prepares to dunk the ball during the quarterfinal game against Allen County-Scottsville Patriots on Monday night. Kennedy led the Panthers with 21 points.

NDL Photo/Crystin Faenza Christian Naylor shoots a layup for the Panthers during the quarter final game of regionals on Monday. The Panthers beat the Allen County-Scottsville Patriots 66-60 to advance to the semifinal game tonight at Diddle Arena.

NDL Photo/Crystin Faenza Head coach Phil Todd talks to the players after their 66-60 win over the Allen County-Scottsville Patriots on Monday. The Panthers win advanced them to the semifinal game tonight against Russell County.

The Russellville Panthers began their journey in the Fourth Region Tournament on Monday night at Diddle Arena at Western Kentucky University.

The Panthers faced the Allen County-Scottsville Patriots in their quarterfinal game. After a long battle, the Panthers pulled through with a 66-60 win to bring them closer to the regional championship.

The game began slowly, with both teams missing several shots. The first points were put up halfway through the first quarter with a three-point basket by senior Darrin Quarles. After that, the Panthers took off and began to create a gap between them and the Patriots. They finished the first quarter up 13-5.

The Panther defense fought hard and were able to keep the Patriots from scoring too much. The Panthers continued to make successful plays and cause turnovers to put more points on the scoreboard. The Panthers led 28-13 going into halftime.

The third quarter of the game the Panthers maintained the big gap throughout the third quarter. The Panthers would continue their lead, finishing the quarter 46-32. But the Patriots would change the game in the fourth quarter.

The first half of the quarter the Panthers held a strong lead, but the Patriots would begin their comeback. Halfway through the quarter the Patriots would shorten the gap to 10 points. With a minute to go, the Patriots who were once down by 15 came back to within six points of the Panthers. But the Panthers did not cave, they continued to make free throws and keep adding points. They finished the night with a 66-60 win.

Senior Jordan Kennedy was the points leader for the night with 21 points. Senior Zach Hines finished the game with 11 points. Christian Naylor ended the night with 10 points for the Panthers.

The Panthers now advance to the semifinal game tonight at Diddle Arena. The Panthers will face the Russell County Lakers at 6 p.m.