Going into Friday night’s game at Park-way South, Mehlville Senior High School’s Ed Feibig knew his girls’ basketball team would have its hands full against the Pa-triots’ full-court press defense.

The Panthers (17-1, 6-0 Suburban West) not only handled Parkway South’s pressure-styled defense, but also broke it down in textbook fashion as they rolled to a 58-41 win over the Patriots.

“That was probably the hardest 17-point win we’ve had,” Feibig told the Call. “They (Parkway South) came at us with everything they had. Parkway South pressed us full court for the entire game and played some good, tough defense.”

Mehlville was led by the scoring outburst of Alyse Gordon, who racked up 26 points, six rebounds and six assists. The junior forward also recorded two steals and was 4-4 from the three-point line.

Mehlville’s head coach noted that Gor-don has scored 56 points in the past three games, well above her 11.7 points per game average this season.

“Alyse shot the ball really well,” Feibig said. “I think she’s just playing more re-laxed and has really put up some points these last couple of games.”

Michelle Senf also scored in double figures for the Panthers as she put together an 11-point effort that also included an im-pressive 17 rebounds and one steal for the senior forward.

“In the last couple of games, teams have been able to really deny her the ball,” Feibig said. “Teams have been paying special attention to her because she’s been able to score 15 to 16 points a game this season.”

Mehlville junior guard Kayla Gordon also recorded an 11-point effort that inc-luded four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

“Kayla’s been playing great defense and we were able to get the ball to her early in the game,” Feibig said. “When Michelle was double teamed, we were able to get the ball to Kayla or Alyse.”

The Panthers are back on the hardwood today — Jan. 26 — when they travel to Fort Zumwalt South for a non-conference meeting with the Bulldogs.

Fort Zumwalt South is 11-7 overall and is coming off a 70-40 win over Ursuline Acad-emy.

The Bulldogs traveled to Mehlville last season and were handed a 47-35 setback when the Panthers were led by Senf’s 16 points and nine rebounds.

“Fort Zumwalt (South) is a very quick and aggressive team that plays a nice 2-3 zone game,” Feibig said. “They’ve got a couple of really good players, so it should be a pretty tough game.”

Mehlville’s meeting with Fort Zumwalt South is slated for a 7 p.m. start.