The Panthers extended their winning streak at home to 35 games after a 111-44 victory over McHenry County Thursday night. Their 2-0 start in Skyway play (14 straight conference wins) also helped them extend their regular season winning streak to 36 games.

Their success has been fun to watch for Panther nation, and they had six reach double figures on Thursday night. After posting an 18-point lead at the end of the opening quarter, the Panthers never looked back.

The No. 2 Panthers had another productive performance by the top shooter in the NJCAA Division II ranks, Claire Hyde. Entering the night in the lead for most three-pointers, Hyde connected on three more to increase her lead atop the rankings.

Hyde ended with 11 points and came in averaging 19.9 points per game on 49.8% shooting (41.4% three-point percentage) from the field. She continued her dominance on Thursday night alongside her talented teammates. 

Kaylen Evans put on a clinic in the Skyway victory, dropping 29 points and seven three-pointers. The star guard has also been one of the best shooters in the country. She has shown the ability to outscore opposing teams in any given quarter. 

"As we continue to get our momentum back after having the long break, it was good to see our bench get some minutes. We showed some of our strengths, which is sharing the ball and playing unselfish basketball," Evans said. 

The tandem of Evans and Hyde has been remarkable. They both have reached double figures in every game this season.

Jalyssa Carrasco was tied for the sixth-most made three-pointers and continued her successful season. The former West Aurora star has been torching the nets, posting 10-plus points in six of her last seven games.

"It's always a good feeling when you are hitting shots. I was happy that it was one of those days. We worked a lot on getting up shots in practice, and it was rewarding to see all our hard work pay off. The way we push the ball and our pace are why I received wide-open looks, so all I have to do is knock those down," Carrasco said.

Carrasco ended up with a season-high 23 points and helped outscore McHenry 53-23 in the first half. That lead would increase in the second half, and many other Panthers filled up the stat sheet.

Frannie Metz and Mia Simpson combined for 30 points, and Gianine Boado posted a season-high 13 points. The squad matched a season-high of 22 made three-pointers, and their 111 points were a season-high.

The balanced attack by the Panthers is one of the many reasons they have extended their winning streaks in the regular season and at home. 

The defensive effort and production have been off the charts. They entered the night sixth in points allowed (47.7).

They have had ten straight games of allowing under 60 points and their win over McHenry showed how defense still wins championships.

Contesting shots, boxing out, and communicating are some of the successful categories they have shown thus far in the season. Great defense creates offense and the transition buckets accumulated in the 67-point victory. 

Their last six wins have been by at least 40 points, and the squad is now 2-0 in Skyway play.

The Panthers have the weekend off but will be back at it next Tuesday night against Prairie State. Tip-off at the Henry J. Vais Gymnasium is at 5:15 pm. 

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