PFLUGERVILLE, Texas -- The state-ranked Pflugerville Panthers pulled away with a 48-18 scoring surge in the second and third quarters en route to a 77-48 victory over Anderson in District 25-5A Tuesday night at the Panther Gym. The Panthers enjoyed their best shooting night of the season, hitting 57.1 percent of their shots by connecting on 28 of 49 attempted field goals. In this week's state 5A polls, Pflugerville is ranked No. 9 (Texas Girls Coaches Association) and No. 15 (TABC/Tex Preps Basketball Magazine). 

Leading the way in a balanced scoring attack for Pflugerville,  now 23-5 overall and 9-1 in the District, were senior forward Christie Mooney (pictured, 16 points) and sophomore forward Itiana Taylor (10 points). Junior forward Adesuwa Ebomwonyi added nine points and team-bests seven rebounds and five steals. Ebomwonyi and Mooney each had five assists apiece.

With the game tied 11-11 with three minutes left in the first quarter, the Panthers took a 14-12 lead into the second quarter. Pflugerville then turned up the defensive pressure and led by Mooney and Ebomwonyi, went on an 11-1 run to pull ahead 25-12. In that 11-1 run, the Panthers forced five Anderson turnovers.

Pflugerville led at intermission, 35-19, behind Mooney (nine points, three assists) and Ebomwonyi (five points, four steals). In the third quarter, the Panthers opened up a 50-25 edge on back-to-back Mooney baskets, the last on a 12-foot jumper with 3:55 to go. After the two teams traded baskets for a 52-27 P'ville edge, the Panthers got consecutive 3-pointers from Ari Booth and Jasmyn Booker to push their lead to 58-27 with 1:55 left in the period.

Anderson (10-17 overall, 4-6 in the District) was led by junior Kelly Gramlich's game-high 29 points.

Pflugerville now travels to District 25-5A opponent Austin High School on Friday, Jan. 29 for a 7:30 p.m. matchup. Earlier this year, the Panthers defeated the Maroon, 72-25, on January 25 in Pflugerville.

All four Pflugerville team picked up victories Tuesday, with the Panther JV defeating Anderson 66-20, the P;ville freshman "A" team winning 75-20 and the freshmen "B" team posting a 54-19 victory. Both the JV and freshman "A" squads remain undefeated against District opponent (both at 10-0) and both improved to 25-1 overall. The PHS freshman "B" squad is now 7-5.

In the JV game, the Panthers jumped out to a 26-1 lead after the first quarter en route to their 46-point win. Freshman guard Tayliah Brooks and freshman forward Amy Staha each scored 13 points.

The Panther freshman "A" squad received a game-high 26 points from post Raven Swain while forward Destini Oakmon added 13 points and point guard Taylor Ross chipped in with 12.

The Panther freshmen "B" team jumped out to leads of 26-1 after the first quarter and led at the half, 36-8. The Panthers got 14 points from Tatyana Dawson-King in the winning effort.

On Friday, all the Panther teams will be in action at Austin High School. The freshman "A" game will be played at 5:15 p.m., followed by the JV game (6 p.m.) and the freshman "B" contest (6:30 p.m.) prior to the 7:30 p.m. varsity contest.