MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – An ice-cold start and finish were enough to prevent Brainerd from advancing in Tuesday’s Class 2A boys’ state basketball tournament at the Murphy Center.
Brainerd didn’t score its first basket until midway through the opening quarter, falling behind by 11. But after rallying to within one by halftime the Panthers kept it close the rest of the way before eventually falling 40-39 to Memphis Power Center.
Trailing by one for the final 1:51 of the game, Brainerd (17-12) missed three field goals, two free throws and turned the ball over twice with a chance to take the lead. The Panthers went scoreless for the final 2:39 of the game. Power Center (20-4) advances to the state semifinals where it will face East Nashville on Thursday.
Junior post Donivon Thomas led Brainerd with 11 points and Joshua Hood added nine.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis