Record Stands at 16-0
Pippa Passes, KY: The undefeated Alice Lloyd College Eagles unleashed an impressive performance in the second half, and mowed down the visiting Indiana University East Red Wolves, 78-57. The River States Conference (RSC) matchup took place January 8th.
In the opening half, things started slow as neither team could find the range. The hosts would dent the scoreboard first on a driving shot from sophomore forward Ben Soumahoro (2-0), but the visitors would answer with a run. When Red Wolf center Jehu Lafeuillee threw down a dunk at 14:39, IUE led 9-4.
In what would be a defensive battle, the Eagles would finally regain the lead when sophomore forward Damon Tobler scored in the paint on a power move (23-21) at 6:25. Although the teams would trade buckets the remainder of the way, ALC would not trail again.When senior point guard Noah Young would stick a tough running 10-foot shot with .31 left, he would give his club a 30-28 advantage at intermission. This would prove the spark the ALC men needed.
In the second half, the Caney Creek crew would elevate their play to a higher level. Soumahoro would score 6 points in a 10-0 blitz right out of the gate to lift the Eagles to a double-digit advantage (40-28). As the clock passed the midway point of the stanza and with the scoreboard reading 53-45, the Pippa Passes boys unleashed the knockout blow. Over the next four minutes, the home fans witnessed a solid exhibition of defense that limited IUE to just 3 points. On offense, Young and burly forward Will Philpot would lead the pack to 21 points of their own. When the dust had settled, the score stood at 74- 48. The advantage would reach as many as 28 points (78-50) with 3:12 remaining, as Alice Lloyd would chalk up another outstanding victory in the win column.
For the victors (16-0; 7-0 RSC), three players would reach double digits. Young would lead the way in fine fashion with his game-high 18 points on 8-13 FG. He was followed in scoring by Soumahoro with 17 points on 7-11 FG. He added 7 boards. Philpot added his seventh double-double of the season with 14 points (6-10 FG) and a game-high 12 rebounds. Tobler added 8 points and 8 rebounds, while freshman guard Marquis Frazier came off the bench to hand off 5 assists, and tied Soumahoro with 2 steals apiece.
Alice Lloyd shot 48.5% (32-66) from the floor, and 23.1% (3-13) from behind the arc. They finished 91.7% (11-12) from the foul line. They also controlled the glass, grabbing 43 rebounds, while adding 15 assists, plus 10 steals, and 3 blocks.
IUE (7-10; 3-3 RSC) was led by Dionte Raines with 10 points. However, he was the only Red Wolf to reach double figures. His squad shot 37.3% (22-59) from the floor, and 23.8% (5-21) from behind the arc. They finished 55.6% (8-13) from the foul line, and also had 33 rebounds, 14 assists, and 6 steals.
The Eagles return to action this week when they travel to Pittsburgh for two big conference tilts. On Thursday, January 13th, they will face the Carlow Celtics at 7:30 pm. They then remain in the big city to face the Point Park University Pioneers on Saturday, January 15th, at 1:00 pm.