TAWAS AREA - Feb. 5, 2010 - Standish-Sterling may not be the best team in the North East Michigan Conference this season, but right now the Panthers are the hottest.

SSC won its sixth straight game Friday -- and its second straight NEMC road contest -- pulling away from Tawas Area in the second half for a 58-49 victory.

The Panthers held the Braves to just two points in the third quarter, then hit 13-of-17 free throws in the fourth quarter to nail down the win.

SSC led 30-27 at the half, but wasn't able to make much headway in the third quarter as the Panthers managed just six points themselves.

D.J. Decker and Jesse Siwek combined for 15 points in the fourth quarter, but Bobby Sanch hit a 3-pointer and four free throws and Cole Walderzak had eight points to keep the Panthers out of reach.

Decker finished with 18 points and Siwek had 16 as the Braves dropped to 5-7 (3-3 NEMC). Tawas faced a quick turnaround, facing Hale at the Palace of Auburn Hills less than 24 hours later on Saturday.

Sanch had 17 and Walderzak added 14 points for the Panthers (10-4, 4-3), who leapfrogged the Braves into third place in the league.