For the first time since 2019, the Orange men’s basketball team has won its conference opener. The Panthers defeated Western Alamance 57-45 on Tuesday night at Coach Evans Court in Elon. On a night where the Panthers started slow offensively, freshman Kai Evans carried Orange early, scoring nine of the Panthers’ eleven points in the first quarter. The Warriors erased an 11-point lead and tied the game in the fourth quarter, but Xandrell Pinnix drained a key 3-pointer off a missed free throw. Wade followed minutes later with another 3-pointer, both crucial baskets after the Panthers’ leading scorer, Coleman Cloer, picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter. Cloer added 15 points, his ninth straight game in double figures. Wade finished with a game-high 19 points. Orange has already won more road games this season (four) than they did all of last season. It’s a hectic week for the Panthers. They play three Central Carolina Conference games in a span of four days. On Wednesday night, they face the defending CCC Conference champions, Northwood, led by Drake Powell, who has committed to play at North Carolina. The game will be in Hillsborough. Orange will travel to Walter Williams on Friday night.