TUCSON, Ariz.--The Bay Area Panthers took sole possession of first place in the Western Conference after a 44-42 in over the Tucson Sugar Skulls at the Tucson Convention Center.  

Justin Rankin's third rushing score of the game midway through the fourth quarter provided the winning points for the Panthers who have won five of six since losing to the Sugar Skulls at the SAP Center on April 16.  

"That's huge," said Offensive Coordinator Dixie Wooten.  "That's a tough environment to play in and to come back and take the lead in the fourth quarter showed a lot of what this team is about." 

Dalton Sneed completed 16 of 21 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns—two to Nih Jackson and one to Cutrell Haywood. 

Bay Area (6-3) rallied from 30-17 down in the second quarter for their biggest comeback of the season and move one game ahead of Northern Arizona for the top record in the conference.  

The Panthers will host Duke City next Saturday, June 3 at the SAP Center with a 6:05 kickoff.