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Preps

'Canes weather rough 2nd half

LECANTO -- The final score read 69-63, but few thought it would be that close after watching the first half Friday. Ninth-ranked Citrus (23-2) had to withstand a furious rally by Lecanto (12-10) to win on the road.

The Hurricanes had a comfortable 42-20 lead at halftime. But the Panthers pulled to within 58-54 on a score by Scotty Johnson with two minutes remaining. Then Citrus junior Jamaal Galloway buried a long 3-pointer at the other end.

"I try to go in there with confidence," Galloway said. "You can't go in there thinking you have to make it. We never got nervous, we just lost the momentum and it was hard to get it back."

Lecanto got within four twice more. Landon Baize was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 40 seconds remaining and hit all three attempts to come within 63-59. Teammate Drew Zimbro hit a 3-pointer with 27 seconds left to make it 66-62.

But the 'Canes had an answer each time.

Galloway was 7 of 10 from the line and had 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. Citrus coach Jimmy Thomas said the junior usually comes up big.

"He's really great going to the foul line even though he missed some tonight, which he normally doesn't do," Thomas said. "He's the one we're going to try to get the ball in his hands."

Joel Miller added 19 points for Citrus, which made six 3-pointers. Greg Covino had seven points.

The 'Canes came out gunning and posted a 25-7 lead by the end of the first quarter. Citrus' 22-point halftime lead quickly dissolved when the 'Canes mustered only four points in the third quarter.

Johnson had 20 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Panthers. Baize was 7 of 8 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter and finished with 10 points and eight assists. Bruce Emberley scored all 10 of his points in the second half to go along with his eight rebounds.

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