By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

ATHENS — The Chesapeake Panthers couldn’t get anything going. It didn’t help that they were missing their best player.

With leading scorer and rebounder Austin McMaster out with an eye infection, the Panthers lost 48-40 to the Logan Elm Braves on Saturday in the Alexander Hoops Invitational.

“(Logan Elm) is good defensively and we were never able to get anything in transition,” said Panthers’ coach Ryan Davis.

Javon Thompson led the Panthers with 11 points. Patrick Hintz, Eric Kennedy and Brandon Noble scored 9each for Chesapeake (4-1).

Blake Riffle and 16 and Dillon Young 15 for the Braves.

Chesapeake trailed 12-8 after the first quarter and 26-23 at the half. Logan Elm opened up a 42-33 lead after three quarters and the Panthers’ fourth quarter comeback bid fell short.

The Panthers do not play against until Dec. 30 at Ironton.

Chesapeake 8 15 10 7 = 40

Logan Elm 12 14 16 6 = 48

CHESAPEAKE (4-1): Taylor Banaei 1 0 0-0 2, Javon Thompson 1 3 0-1 11, Patrick Hintz 3 0 3-4 9, Brandon Noble 2 1 2-3 9, Eric Kennedy 3 1 0-1 9, Caleb Lindsey 0 0 0-0 0, Chad Meadows 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10 5 5-9 40. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

LOGAN ELM: Blake Riffle 6 1 1-1 16, Dillon Young 6 1 0-1 15, Cory Heeter 1 0 1-2 3, Johnny Moore 0 1 0-0 3, Anthony Vagnier 1 0 2-2 4, Eli Pritchard 3 0 1-1 7. Totals: 17 3 5-7 48. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.