Two difficult road losses dropped the Powell High School boys’ basketball team to the bottom of the 3A West standings, losing to Lander 64-36 on Friday before a close loss to Pinedale 66-61 on Saturday.

LANDER 64, POWELL 36

Heading to Lander the Panthers (13-7 overall, 2-8 3A West) were looking for a key win against the Tigers (12-8 overall, 4-5 3A West).

Lander got off to a strong start, quickly building a 10-2 lead and forcing a Powell timeout.

The Panthers were unable to respond early, and trailed 16-7 heading into the second quarter.

Lander stretched the lead to double-digits as the Panthers struggled to find baskets, and the Tigers led 31-19 at the break despite a Caden Nelson layup at the buzzer.

Powell continued to struggle in the third quarter as the Tigers pushed the lead out to 46-27 and forced another timeout by the Panthers.

Lander did not quite turn the lead into a 20-point advantage, as the Panthers trailed 51-33 heading into the fourth.

Powell was unable to find scoring once again in the fourth quarter, as the Panthers were outscored 13-3 in the final frame and Lander took the 64-36 win.

PINEDALE 66, POWELL 61

In another important conference game Saturday the Panthers took on the Wranglers (12-8 overall, 5-4 3A West).

Powell got off to a better start, holding a 10-7 lead midway through the first quarter.

The Panthers maintained that same advantage as a Pinedale steal and layup at the buzzer made it 16-13 heading into the second quarter.

The hosts pushed into the lead in the second frame, leading 23-20 midway through.

Pinedale maintained that advantage until the final second when Nathan Preator’s 3-pointer bounced off the rim and just snuck in to tie the score at 30 heading into the locker room.

The Wranglers started the third quarter, going on a 14-2 run over the first four minutes to make it a 44-32 game.

Powell responded with a strong stretch of its own, using a Kason Sherman 3-pointer late in the third to cut the lead down to two possessions trailing 48-43 going into the fourth quarter.

The Panthers got it down to a single possession early in the fourth, but each time the Panthers scored the Wranglers had an answer.

Powell trailed 64-61 with 1:20 remaining, but never had the opportunity to tie as a steal and layup made it 66-61 and the Panthers were unable to get enough fouls to extend the clock via free throws in the 66-61 loss.

IMPORTANT WEEK

That loss dropped the Panthers to the No. 8 seed as things stand at the regional tournament next week, needing a win this week to likely avoid a first round rematch with their opponent this Thursday next week on their home floor.

Powell is currently tied with Mountain View at 2-6 in conference play, but an overtime win gives the Buffalos the tiebreaker over the Panthers currently in the conference standings.

Powell takes on Lovell (19-2 overall, 9-0 3A West) at 7 p.m. on Thursday before taking on Cody (8-12 overall, 5-3 3A West) at 7 p.m. on Friday to wrap up the regular season.

3A WEST STANDINGS

Overall record followed by conference record

1. Lovell 19-2, 9-0

2. Cody 8-12, 5-3 

3. Pinedale 12-8, 5-4

4. Lander 12-8, 4-5

5. Worland 9-12, 4-5

6. Lyman 10-8, 3-5

7. Mountain View 8-11, 2-6

8. Powell 13-7, 2-6