ABI tags Eagles with first loss of season, 102-101 in overtime

Rome, GA - The second day of the Dana Davis Classic was unkind to the Golden Eagles, suffering a stunning 102-101 overtime loss to ABI.

The Eagles held a siim lead for much of the first half against the hard playing, disciplined ABI squad, but were able to jump out to double-digit leads on at least two occasions. Each time ABI would climb back. CTC was able to muster a couple of baskets as the first half wound down, to take a 49-40 lead into the intermission. Ben Drake tallied 14 first half points, to go along with several blocked shots.

In the second half, the pattern seemed to be the same, as Malik Jordan's steady scoring helped the Eagles maintain an 8-10 point spread. Up 80-70 with about six minutes remaining, the Eagles went squandered several changes to add to the lead, but missed on two dunk attempts, another potential laying and several freethrows. ABI took advantage and began clipping into the lead, with two three pointers and drives to the basket. They went on a 22-11 run to knot the score up in the final seconds. The Eagles had shot to win it at the buzzer, as Jamion Simpson was pummelled on a 15 foot jumper that went wide right as his legs were taken away by the ABI defender.

In the OT, the Eagles quickly scored the first two baskets to go up 105-101, but ABI again answered with driving baskets, then got the beneifit of several generous calls, putting them at the line, where they were clutch enough to capitalize. CTC worked back to tie it back up at 101-all, but missed the tail end of two freethrows to re-take the lead. On the miss, an over the back foul was called and ABI make one of two to go up one. Another CTC attempt at the buzzer to win it went awry and the Eagles left with their first loss of the season.

Squandered were career high performances by Malik Jordan, who poured in 34 points, and Ben Drake who broke out for 18 points, 11 boards and 3 blocked shots. Simpson also had 22 points, while Markel Williams added 12, also a career high for him.