By JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
Most of the time this season, defense has been the main nemesis for the NRHEG boys' basketball team.
On, Thursday, Jan. 26, it was the opposite.
The shots would not fall for the Panthers, who shot 28 percent from the field while falling 58-37 to TriCity United at Montgomery. TCU, which won the rebounding battle 40-17, shot 53 percent from the floor.
For the Panthers: Daxter Lee 10 points, 3 rebounds; Sam Olson 6 points; Alden Dobberstein 6 points; Sawyer Prigge 6 points; Will Tuttle 4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists; Jackson Chrz 3 points; Jaylin Raab 2 points.
TCU's Reggie Vosejpka led all scorers with 23 points.
It was one of three losses on the week for the Panthers, who started with a 71-58 setback to JWP at New Richland Tuesday, Jan. 24. The Bulldogs led 36-26 at halftime.
Lee continued to lead the Panthers with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Tuttle tallied a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Others: Olson 6 points; Raab 5 points; Chrz 5 points, 3 rebounds; Greyson Schaefer 4 points; Jase Knudson 3 points; Brady Schlaak 3 points; Jordan Brouwers 2 points.
Memphis James of JWP scored 24, Daulton Bauer 20.
The Panthers hosted Bethlehem Academy Friday, Jan. 27 and dropped a Gopher Conference contest 6741 in New Richland.
For the Panthers: Lee 23 points, 6 rebounds; Olson 10 points; Chrz 3 points; Lukas Loverink 2 points; Prigge 2 points; Raab 1 point.
For BA, Trey Gayten scored 23, Aaron Huerta 17 and Hudson Dillon 12.
The Panthers' record fell to 1-5 in the West Division of the Gopher Conference, 1-9 in conference play and 1-17 overall under first-year head coach Dan Schmidt.
After facing Maple River Monday, the Panthers play Friday, Feb. 3 at Hayfield and Tuesday, Feb. 7 at home against Medford.