CARY - Panther Creek and Cary's head boys basketball coaches agree on at least one principle -- the first three minutes of the second half are crucial.

So even though Cary's Elijah Bryant hit a wild 3-point shot -- catching a loose ball rebound and, in one motion, firing up a prayer that kissed off the backboard and fell through the net -- that beat the buzzer and tied the game at halftime, Mark Adams knew his Panther Creek Catamounts could bounce back.

But they had to do it quickly.

"The first thing we addressed was how important the first three minutes of the third quarter were going to be," Adams said. "We decided at that point we were going to win the first three minutes and our kids came out focused and moved on."

Panther Creek wasted little time in jumping out to a double-digit lead on Cary to provide valuable cushion for a 57-52 Tri-Nine Conference win.

The Catamounts (11-11, 6-9) avoided being eliminated from contention for the league's fifth and final automatic playoff berth. In fact, Panther Creek is now in favorable position entering the final week of the regular season.

PC swept Cary (8-13, 6-8) this season and holds a tiebreaker should the two end up in a three-way tie for fifth with Holly Springs (11-11, 6-8).

"The first three minutes of the second half are just as vital, if not more so as (the three minutes) starting the game," said Cary coach Allan Gustafson. "I thought we were tentative offensively... and because of that we made some really sloppy passes and turnovers late hurt us."

Defensively, Panther Creek kept Cary at bay, doubling and trapping whenever possible and using turnovers to start fast breaks.

Panther Creek found success on offense by setting up forward Chris Keyes, who finished with 15 points and nine rebounds.

"Chris did a nice job of taking his guy to the high post and instead of being a power post player, being a slashing type," Adams said. "That's something he's done all year."

Cary had three players in double-figures, with Stephen Bajorek (13 points) and Michael Campbell (13) leading the way. Bajorek added 12 rebounds in his double-double effort.

Bryant, who had 11 points, tied the game 28-28 just before halftime.

David Robertson, who had a game-high 19 points, put the game on ice by going 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the game's final 30 seconds.

"We drew up something to give him the ball," Adams said. "That was the key at the end there."

Panther Creek has just one Tri-Nine game left - Friday at home against Green Hope. Cary must play at Green Hope on Tuesday before hosting Athens Drive to close out the year on Friday. Holly Springs hosts Middle Creek on Tuesday, then plays at Lee County on Friday.

"We're in a must-win now," Gustafson said. "We've got quite a challenge in front of us. I told the team, we've got to win those games. And if we don't, we'll have to win the conference tournament."