By Tyler Fenwick | For The Times-Post
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PENDLETON — The Pendleton Heights boys basketball team started its season with a 74-61 loss to Anderson on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
Pendleton Heights also lost the season opener in 2015 to Anderson (2-0), but the last time the Arabians dropped their first game before that was 1997.
The Indians sprinted out to an 11-2 lead in the first quarter and didn’t trail for the rest of the night.
Pendleton Heights was able to cut the deficit to two late in the quarter but struggled to find a flow offensively.
Pendleton Heights trailed by 11 at halftime but used a buzzer-beater from senior Justin Shupe to pull to within four heading into the fourth quarter. Senior Trent Miller then made it a 2-point game, 75-55, in the fourth quarter, but Anderson was able to pull away after that.
The Arabians couldn’t keep up with the offensive onslaught brought on by four Indians players scoring at least 10 points. They were led by sophomore Joseph Jones’ 20 points and senior Marquavius Beverly’s 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Pendleton Heights was led by a trio of scorers. Junior Eli Pancol led the Arabians with 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting. Pancol was 1 of 6 from 3-point range. He also added eight rebounds and two steals.
Miller and Shupe scored 15 points each. Miller did so on 5-of-15 shooting, and Shupe did it on 6-of-16 shooting. Shupe’s other contributions included five assists and three steals.
Pendleton Heights will play Lapel on Friday, Dec. 1, and Carmel on Saturday, Dec. 2. Both games have junior varsity tips scheduled for 6 p.m.