The Panthers are coming off their second non-conference victory in as many weeks. They knocked off Aurora University 87-79 and will look to continue their winning ways in Skyway play this week.

Five were in double figures, and we saw the depth take over in the second half of their Saturday victory. Nine players registered for at least 15 minutes, and all had an impact.

Connecting on 2-pointers was a thing of beauty in the win. The Panthers were 25-for-43 (58%) and saw a game-high 12 points from Matas Deksnys and Kyren Gardner.

Gardner failed to make a 3-pointer, but that isn't his forte on the hardwood. The ability to slice and dice apart opposing defenses is a must-watch at the Henry J. Vais Gymnasium.

We saw the guard post four rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes off the bench. Showing the ability to perform at a high level, the Panther guard can dominate in the open court. Plus, he can get downhill in half-court sets.

Deksnys made a pair of 3-pointers and was able to post 12 points in 22 minutes in a game in which the Panthers had a comfortable lead in the second half. 

Despite trailing by one at halftime, the Panthers led by as many as 19 points with 7:37 remaining in regulation. While there were six ties and five lead changes, the Panthers put the clamps down in the second half. 

Heading into Tuesday night, the Panthers and Spartans are in a three-way tie for third place along with Waubonsee (3-3). This matchup could go a long way in deciding the final Skyway standings, and Morton College would love nothing more than to get over the .500 benchmark.

Ranking No. 13 in 3-point percentage allows the Panthers to never count themselves out of a ball game, even while trailing. The perfect example was their recent victory over Aurora University. 

Deksnys, Manny Rodriguez, Xavier Spencer, Kedric Anderson, and Myles Griffith are all capable outside shooters. Opposing teams must defend them, and when possessions are two or three-shot opportunities, the Panthers have shown they can rattle off a flurry of runs.

That could be needed as Skyway play ramps up in February. Eight games are remaining (four home and four away). That includes revenge games against Moraine Valley and Waubonsee. Luckily for the Panthers, those two will be home games that could be in their favor in likely evenly contested games.

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