OSCODA - Feb, 1, 2008 - Oscoda's Adam Dettmer scored 21 points to lead all scorers, but Standish-Sterling showed the value of a balanced offensive attack as the Panthers defeated the Owls 56-38 in the only NEMC game that wasn't postponed Friday night.

The Panthers took turns riding the hot hand in the first half as Jason Kandal scored 10 of his 12 points in the first period to help SSC built an 18-6 lead and Kevin Reeves came off the bench to hit three 3-pointers in the second quarter to help maintain it.

SSC lead 33-23 at the half.

"Reeves did a nice job for them off the bench with those three 3-pointers," said Oscoda coach Scott Lueck.

"We started slow, played a great second quarter but couldn't stay with them. I felt the biggest difference was they were able to get the ball to the post when they need and they got some open shots off their offense."

The Owls cut the SSC lead to seven in the third quarter, but had three straight possessions with a chance to cut further into the lead come up empty. Adam Gulvas and Kevin Goretcki scored all 12 SSC points in the third quarter.

"Then they just took over and pulled away," Lueck said. "We just turned the ball over too much and you can't do that against teams that have several scorers."

The Owls had 25 turnovers to the Panthers' 18 while SSC outshot the Owls from both 2-point and 3-point range.

Kandal and Goretcki shared scoring honors for the Panthers with 12 apiece with Reeves and Collier each adding nine.

Jason Jimenez had nine points, 12 rebounds and four steals for Oscoda.

The Panthers (9-4, 6-2 NEMC) host Beaverton on Feb. 6 while the Owls (7-6, 2-6) plays at Fairview on Tuesday, Feb. 5.