Paxton-Buckley-Loda caught fire in the second half, shooting 77% and pulling away for a 73-55 victory over the Monticello Sages for a third place finish from the Monticello Holiday Hoopla Basketball tournament Thursday evening.

The Panthers shot 8-for-10 from three in the second half, led by Andrew Zenner’s 23 points and 12 rebounds.

Cole Eshlemen added 20 points, Luke Fitton scored 15 points and Colton Kleinert added ten.

Dalton Coplea dished out 13 assists for the Panthers.

Luke Stokowski led the Sages with 19 points and seven rebounds, Johnny Dawson added 11 points and Calvin Fisher scored 10 points.

The Sages have dropped two in a row and are 7-2 on the season.

PBL improves to 6-2 overall.

The two squads will meet again at Monticello High School Thursday, January 19 in a make up of a postponed game earlier in the season.

Hear Monticello boys basketball action next Friday from Rantoul at 7:30 pm on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.