The McKinleyville girls basketball team made it two wins in two nights with another big win on Tuesday, defeating Fort Bragg 61-21.

And once again it was the team defense that paved the way to the lopsided win.

In their first two games combined, including Monday’s 52-17 win over Kelseyville, the Panthers have allowed just 38 points.

Gabby Watson led a balanced offensive team performance against Fort Bragg and scored a game-high 15 points.

MaryAnn Som added 12 points in the win, while Ahty Allen chipped in eight points and Lili Loomis seven.

The Panthers closed out strong and held the Timberwolves scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Lili Battilocchi and Grace Pimentel each also had six points for the Panthers.

The McKinleyville boys also were in action on Monday, opening their season with a 46-43 win over Kelseyville.

The Panthers started strong and led 18-5 after the opening quarter but the Knights would grow into the game with a big surge late in the first half and they trailed by just eight at the break.

The Panthers held a comfortable lead for much of the second half, although the Knights pulled to within five with four minutes remaining, which made for an exciting finish, although McKinleyville would hold on down the stretch.

“We really emphasized starting the game with intensity and heart,” McKinleyville head coach Chris Davis said. “Our guys really responded well and gave us the type of cushion you need when the shots stop falling.

“We talk about how a great defensive team can still win games when you’re cold and we were able to grind this one out when that happened.”

Nick Maher pulled down a team-high 14 rebounds in the win and also scored eight points, while teammate Bode Douglass added 14 points.

Cole Armstrong also had 12 posts in the win.

Davis also praised the performances of some of the new varsity players on this year’s team, including Gaelen Creighton, Ray Turner Jr., and Henry Turner IV.

The Panthers will now turn their attention to this week’s McKinleyville tournament, which gets under way on Thursday.

The eight-team field also includes Ferndale and Arcata.

The Panthers open against Ferndale at 7 p.m.