By Fred Guarino

The Selma Times-Journal

 

MONTGOMERY — The Francis Marion Rams fell to the Lanett Panthers 69-60 in a Class 2A Central Regional semifinal game at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome in Montgomery Wednesday.

Francis Marion’s Kenneth Billingsley scored first and last points in the first period to start the contest as the Rams got off to a 22-15 lead over the Panthers.

The Rams went on to a 44-26 lead over the Panthers at the half, having led by as many as 20 points.

But the Panthers would not go away having cut the lead to ten, 50-40 at the 2:04 mark of the third period and down to 50-48 at the end of the third period.

The Rams shot 68.2 percent from the floor and 57.1 percent (8-14) from the free throw line in the first half while Lanett hit 61.9 percent from the floor and a dismal 17.4 (4-23) percent from the free throw line.

But the Panthers turned the tables for a 65-60 lead in the fourth period with the Rams’ Billingsley fouling out with 30 seconds left in the game.

The Panthers went on to win 69-60.

Leading scorers for Francis Marion were Demetic Bates with 24 points, Billingsley with 17 points and Chadrick Martin with 13 points.