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Cincinnati, OH – The Alice Lloyd Eagles battled for 40 minutes and were rewarded with a well-fought 67-62 victory over the home-standing and defending conference champion Cincinnati Christian University Eagles last night. The game was the River States Conference opener for both clubs.

CCU has played a brutal schedule. Six of their first eight opponents are either ranked in the top 25 or receiving votes. Their hopes were the difficult schedule would prepare them for conference play.

In the opening half, the contest was tight as neither club was able to take control. The visiting Eagles shot 44% and went into the locker room for intermission tied at 27.

In the second half, Alice Lloyd would get a complete team effort. Both squads battled to the end, but ALC was able to sink the clutch free throws when they had to have them, and pulled out the huge victory.

For ALC (3-5; 1-0 RSC), they were led in scoring by junior guard Austin Crisp who led a balanced attack with 16 points on 5-12 field goals and a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe. He was followed in double figures by junior forward Jake Allen and freshman guard Blake Smith with 15 and 10 points apiece. Allen sank 7-11 field goals and completed a double-double as he hauled down 11 big rebounds. Smith was solid as he added 8 rebounds and game-highs of 5 assists and 2 steals. Sophomore Ryan House sank 4 important free throws and contributed 9 points and tied Smith with 2 steals.

CCU (2-7; 0-1 RSC) was led by guard Kobe Brown with a game-high 18 points.

Coach JR Hammond’s victorious Eagles connected on 48.1% (25-52) from the floor and an impressive 50% (4-8) from long range.  They sank 81.3% (13-16) of their free throws, all coming in the second half. They added 35 rebounds, 12 assists, and 6 steals.

Cincinnati Christian connected on 35.8% (24-67) from the floor and 30% (9-30) from long range.  They made all 5 of their free throws and had 37 rebounds, 13 assists, and 6 steals.

The Eagles return to action this weekend when they travel to Kokomo, Indiana to face the Indiana University Kokomo Cougars in conference play. Tip-off is set for 3:00 pm.