LAYTON -- Both the Lancers and Panthers came into Friday night's non-league boys basketball matchup eager to halt losing skids.
After starting 2-0, Layton had dropped three straight, however West proved to be the ideal opponent to help it right the ship as the Lancers moved back to .500 with a 57-39 victory.
While Layton's pressure defense on the perimeter resulted in numerous steals and transition buckets, sophomore center Mike Hibbert controlled the interior on both ends up the floor. He mopped up inside with putback buckets en route to scoring 19 points, pulling down eight rebounds and blocking seven shots.
"We've kind of gone on a little stretch the last couple of games where we haven't had a whole lot of jumpers fall for us," Layton coach Kelby Miller said. "The focus today for us was to play inside-out a little bit more which would hopefully free up shooters for kickouts. Fortunately for us, Mike did a great job in the paint finishing around the hoop which ultimately, I think, was the difference tonight."
The Panthers stayed with Layton for the first four minutes until Kade Petersen sparked an 8-2 run to close the first quarter and the Lancers never looked back. Layton's trapping defense held West to three second quarter points as the Lancers built a 27-12 halftime advantage.
West opened the third quarter outscoring the Lancers 9-2, however a 10-0 Layton surge featuring three Hibbert buckets rebuilt a comfortable 39-21 lead.
Petersen dropped in 13 points in the winning effort while teammate J.T. Anderson added eight. Devin Price was the only Panther in double figures with 15 points.
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