The Bonney Lake Panthers moved to just one game away from earning their first playoff appearance after edging White River 42-40 in South Puget Sound League 3A play Thursday in Buckley.

Bonney Lake needs a win over Sumner Thursday at home. Game time is 7 p.m.

Chad Marquez tossed in a game-high 22 points for the Panthers.

The Panthers trailed 25-18 at halftime, but went on a 14-6 run in the third period. They outscored the Hornets 10-9 in the final period.

In a low-scoring affair, the Hornets found themselves on the short end of a 48-41 loss at home Feb. 2 against Franklin Pierce in SPSL 3A action.

Bonney Lake had a 10-8 after the opening period of play, but the Cardinals went on a 12-4 run and took a six-point lead into intermission.

Early in the third, the Panthers cut the lead to one, 26-25, on Kyle Bobbit’s layup. But Franklin Pierce answered with a 5-1 run.

Franklin Pierce pulled away in the final quarter for a nine-point lead, 45-36. Riley Baltazar hit a 3-pointer off a steal to pull the Panthers to within six at 45-39.

The Panthers applied full-court press, but were unable to cut the margin.

Nathan Braun led the Panthers with 15 points.