YORK - Sterling College came into the Freeman Center looking to make an upset on Wednesday night. York's offense came out hot, but the Warriors kept the game close and battled the Panthers throughout the first half.

York jumped out to a quick 11-3 lead and 17-7 before the Warriors tied the game at 22. The teams continued to battle before head coach Tree Burks called a timeout with his team clinging to a 34-33 lead with 4:40 remaining in the half. Whatever was said by Burks must have stuck as the Panthers went on an 11-0 run and didn't allow the Warriors to score another field goal the rest of the half with York up 45-35.

Michael Tolbert (JR/Apopka, Fla) had the hot hand for the Panthers as he went a perfect 6-for-6 from the field for 17 points in the first half.

The second half was a defensive battle as both teams upped their pressure and neither team could score early. With ten minutes remaining the Warriors made a slow comeback, after being down by as many as 14 points they cut their deficit to just six at 58-52. But back-to-back three point baskets by Roc Johnson (SR/Inglewood, Calif) kept York in control and put the Panthers back up by 14 at 66-52.

Over the final seven minutes of the game the Panthers slowed down the pace and kept the Warriors at a safe distance, keeping a double digit lead throughout as they pulled away for the 86-71 win.

York had four players score in double figures led by Michael Tolbert's game high 22 points. Aaron Munday-Rashid (JR/Melbourne, Australia) kept his hot hand as well scoring15 points off of the bench. Roc Johnson finished the night with 16 points and Andrew Stafford (SR/Dallas, Texas) scored 11.

As a team York shot 56% from the floor, including 48% from beyond the arc. The Panthers ball movement was solid on the night as they had 21 assists on 32 made baskets.

York improves to 8-5 overall and 6-2 in the KCAC. The Panthers will close out their semester with a trip to Ottawa on Saturday.