High Point is absolutely on fire, kicking off their season with a perfect 5-0 record after taking down Saint Louis 68-58 on Sunday. And if you want to know *why* they are rolling, look no further than Jason Rivera-Torres, who not only dropped 16 points but also snagged an insane seven steals to anchor their defense. This Panthers squad isn’t just winning, they are making a statement, and Rivera-Torres is leading the charge.
Panthers Pull Away Early and Hold On Tight
High Point didn’t waste any time taking control of this game. They grabbed the lead with 19:20 left in the first half and never looked back, heading into the break with a commanding 48-26 advantage. That’s how you set the tone, folks! While Saint Louis did outscore them by 12 points in the second half, High Point never actually surrendered the lead, proving they have the grit to close out games even when the opponent tries to mount a comeback. Rivera-Torres kept his foot on the gas after halftime, leading the team with 12 points in the second frame. It shows they can handle the pressure.
Rivera-Torres and the Dynamic Duo Lead the Way
Rivera-Torres was a stat sheet stuffer, adding eight rebounds to his 16 points and seven steals. But he wasn’t alone in lighting up the scoreboard. CJ Brown was right there with him, also tallying 16 points on efficient 5 of 12 shooting from the field and a near-perfect 6 for 7 from the line. Brown also dished out five assists, showing he’s more than just a scorer. Filip Brankovic chipped in with 11 points, shooting an impressive 3 of 4 from both the field and the free-throw line. This kind of balanced attack is exactly what you want to see from an undefeated squad, making them incredibly tough to stop.
On the other side, Saint Louis fought hard, with Kellen Thames putting up a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Quentin Jones added 12 points and four blocks, trying to rally the Billikens, and Amari McCottry contributed 10 points, nine rebounds, and two steals. They pushed back in the second half, but that early deficit was just too much to overcome.
Up next, High Point is back at home on Thursday, hosting Montana State. Saint Louis hits the road to face Saint Mary’s on Friday. High Point has a chance to keep that undefeated streak alive, and you know Rivera-Torres will be ready to go!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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