DELPHOS — The reconfigured Jefferson boys basketball team hosted the Paulding Panthers Friday night in Northwest Conference action.

The Panthers used pressure defense and hot shooting to defeat the Wildcats 68-37.

Jefferson started the scoring on a basket by junior Austin Jettinghoff; however, the Panthers scored the next 11 points of the quarter. Lance Foor led the run with five points, while Caleb Clemens, Quentin Vance and Steven Strayer each added baskets during the run. Trey Smith hit back-to-back baskets for Jefferson to get within five. After two free throws by Strayer, Smith hit a three to get Delphos within 13-9. Foor closed the quarter with four points in the last minute, leaving the Panthers with a 17-9 lead after one quarter.