A promising game on paper turned into a blow out as Bloomington South clicked on both ends of the floor against New Albany. The Panthers pulled away in the first half for a 68-43 victory.

Indiana University signee Anthony Leal connected on a top of the key three-pointer late in the first quarter to push South's lead to 19-8. New Albany was never able to slow down South's offense as the Panthers had quarters of 19, 21, and 21 before slowing the tempo in the fourth period.

Junior Connor Hickman connected on three three-pointers in the second quarter. He scored 11 in the period on his way to 15 points in the first half. Hickman is an excellent spot-up shooter, and he showed it against New Albany. His shooting took the life out of the Bulldogs.

With Julien Hunter and Trey Hourigan in street clothes, New Albany had to lean on a lot of underclassmen. The bright spot for New Albany was sophomore Tucker Biven. He is committed to the University of Louisville for baseball, but Biven played a lot as a freshman. Biven scored 18 of New Albany's 43 points.

South was up 21 points at the half, but Noah Jager took his game to a different level in the third period to make sure the Bulldogs had no hope of coming back. Jager sliced to the basket at will in the stanza. He scored a couple times and dished to open teammates a few other. The Army signee is the leader and playmaker for South.

2021 forward Jordan Thomas hit a mid-range shot followed by a three-pointer in the fourth quarter to show his expanding skill set. He finished with eight points.

Connor Hickman led all scorers with 20 points. Anthony Leal added 18. Noah Jager tallied 12, and Joey Bomba had eight.

Biven led New Albany with 18. Kaden Stanton added nine points for New Albany.

South is now 2-0. It was the season opener for New Albany.