KYLE – The Pflugerville Panthers took one more step toward their ultimate goal of returning to the state tournament, posting a 56-39 win over San Antonio O’Connor on Friday.

Nneka Enemkpali led a very balanced Panther (29-5) attack with 12 points. Itiana Taylor score 10 and Adesuwa Ebomwonyi and Christie Mooney each pitched in with eight. In all 10 Pflugerville players scored in the game.

The Panthers opened strong, building a 19-7 first-quarter lead before letting O’Connor fight back. By the 3:22 mark in the second quarter, Pflugerville’s lead had been cut to 22-16 and it seemed the Panthers had a game on their hands. Ebomwonyi stepped up for the Panthers, making three steals in the final minute of the first quarter, helping Pflugerville close with a 6-0 run and go into the break leading 28-16.

The momentum carried over into the third quarter. The Panthers led 31-21 when Ebomwoyi took a pass from Taylor and scored an easy two. Taylor followed with a basket propelling Pflugerville on a 14-4 run to close quarter.

The Panthers were up 45-25 entering the last period of play. O’Connor trimmed the lead to 45-30, before Curteisha Woods and Taylor answered for Pflugerville. The Panthers held O’Connor at bay the rest of the way and cruised to the area title. Pflugerville moves into the regional quarterfinal round where they will face San Antonio Wagner on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Lehman High School.