Behind a 20-point outburst by Matt Browning, the Mehlville Senior High School boys’ basketball team recently rolled to a 64-41 victory over Lindbergh in Suburban West Conference action.

The win for Mehlville (3-3, 1-0 Suburban West) not only brought the Panthers back to the .500 mark, but it also marked the first time the Panthers had defeated Lindbergh since Jan. 11, 2002, when they beat the Flyers 54-40. Since then, the Panthers had lost nine straight to Lindbergh.

“This was an important game for us,” Mehlville head coach Andy Guethle said of the Dec. 19 game. “I thought it was a game that our kids came out and got after it defensively. I feel like we’re finally starting to get it.”

The loss for the Flyers (0-5, 0-1 Suburban West) marked the fifth straight setback this season for Lindbergh, which is averaging 33.2 points per game this season.

“It was a tough loss,” Lindbergh head coach Jason Wolfard said. “Mehlville is a district and a conference opponent and we were looking to turn the corner against them.”

Browning’s 20-point showing included five rebounds, five assists and three steals.

The sophomore guard is averaging 15 points per game this season.

“Matt had a really good night,” Guethle said. “I thought that he did a really good job at letting the game come to him.”

Mehlville’s Kendrick Sharp also scored in double figures with 12 points, one rebound and one assist. The junior guard is averaging 8.2 points and 2.4 rebounds.

“Kendrick is one of the players to watch this year,” Guethle said. “He’s a good, hard-nosed player that’s also a strong guard and has been a really nice addition to our team this season.”

Andrew Dahle led the Flyers with 12 points, one steal and one rebound. The senior center is averaging five points per game.

“Andrew had some aggressiveness to the basket that night,” Wolfard said. “When he’s aggressive, he’s pretty good.”

The Flyers return to action at 7 p.m. Tuesday when they travel to Northwest (1-5, 0-1 Suburban West) for a conference showdown with the Lions.

“We have to play at their place and that’s always a tough place to play at,” Wolfard said. “Northwest has a good guard and some strong play on the inside. What we have to do is be able to grind it out for all four quarters.”

The Panthers will return to the court at 7 p.m. Monday when they play host to Rock-wood Summit (2-4, 1-0 Suburban South).

“Height-wise, we don’t match up with them very well at all,” Guethle said. “This is going to be a game where our kids have to buy into playing good team basketball.”