The Panthers won their 35th straight game in the regular season and started their Skyway season with an impressive road victory over Oakton, 87-39.

Despite trailing by one point (13-12) after the first quarter, the Panthers did not panic. The time off certainly played a factor for a little game clock, but their starters put together an impressive second half.

"You could tell the 22 days off in the first quarter hurt us. However, once we were rolling, we looked like us again, and it was beautiful to see," head coach Jason Nichols said. 

Claire Hyde dropped a game-high 22 points, including six three-pointers. It was a three-pointer at the buzzer of the first half that seemed to light a spark for the No. 2 Panthers.

Hyde only had 2 points before the buzzer-beater, but she proved how pivotal the second half is. The top shooter in the country, Hyde has been a devastating scorer in all facets. 

The Panthers had a pair of victories in Florida over the holidays. They had an impressive run in one of their wins, where they started slow out of the gates. The No. 2 squad put together one of their patented second half runs against Oakton on Tuesday night.

They opened the second half on an 18-2 run in the first 3:17 of the third quarter. They opened the half only leading by 14, but the Panthers would take a 64-26 lead after three quarters.

"We defended, we ran, and we hit shots in that third quarter. When we are defending, our offense is good," Nichols said. 

The 38-point lead was what they ended up winning by. Their four leading scorers ended up dominating. The top four combined for 71 points and 13 three-pointers. 

Kaylen Evans (17 points) has been smooth in the backcourt, with the ability to connect on outside shots and the dribble drive to create for her teammates. Jalyssa Carrasco hit four three-pointers and had 14 points in the victory. 

Mia Simpson had 18 points and was unstoppable near the basket. She has been a tremendous defender and can lead the fast break with the best of them.

"It was great to get back on the court, and I look forward to our push over the next two months as we get ready for the region tournament," Nichols said. 

That push started with a conference-opening victory over Oakton, and they will have another matchup on Thursday night when they host McHenry County.

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