The Orange men’s basketball team had to fight to keep its winning streak against crosstown rival Cedar Ridge alive. Looking for its first win over Orange since February 5, 2021, Cedar Ridge bolted out to a 28-14 lead inside Red Wolves Gymnasium in Friday night. The Panthers fought back and held the Red Wolves without a field goal in the final ten minutes to emerge with a 45-36 victory. Junior point guard Hector Garrido finished with 15 points, including two field goals in the fourth quarter as the Panthers pulled away. Orange didn’t take the lead until late in the third quarter after a 3-pointer from freshman Jakob Silinski, who scored seconds after missing a 3-pointer from beyond the top of the key. Orange has defeated Cedar Ridge eleven straight times. It was the third game in four days for Orange. In each game, the Panthers were without a starter. Junior center Jalen Crayton scored 16 points to lead all scorers. Junior Weston Cheek added eight points. The Panthers remain one game behind first place in the Big 7 Conference. Once the winter storm passes, the Panthers are set to return to action against Carrboro next week. Orange also has a nonconference game scheduled against East Chapel Hill on Monday, and another against the Burlington School on Wednesday.
