The varsity men’s basketball team can finally say that it’s number one. After a tough, important game against the St. Frances Panthers, who were the number one ranked team in Maryland, the Patriots pulled out a 63-54 win.

The game started out shaky for the Patriots when the Panthers grabbed the lead during the first quarter. But at the end of the first half, the Patriots took the lead, 35-30.

During the third quarter, JC added 10 points before the Panthers woke back up and came back into the game. At one point, the Patriots were up by 15 points until the Panthers clawed their way back, making the score 46-42, Patriots.

The fourth quarter was a nail biter because the game could have gone any way. In the end, the Patriots finished strong with a final score of 63-54, hushing up the St. Francis crowd and the opposing team.

The Patriots play at McDonogh Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m.