Pippa Passes, KY: A solid team effort was just the prescription the doctor ordered as the Alice Lloyd College Eagles earned a convincing 96-65 Senior Day victory over the visiting Brescia University Bearcats. The River States Conference battle was held Tuesday, February 15th.
In the first half, despite a couple of buckets by senior Idris Akinyemi, the visitors would take an 8-7 lead five minutes in. Little did anyone know how quickly things would change.
The Eagles would respond with a flurry of points, punctuated by a quartet of trifectas, to quickly pull ahead by double digits. This would enable the Pippa Passes club to take a 47-33 advantage at intermission.
In the second half, the Caney Club would explode out of the gate. Spurred by the playmaking of senior guard Noah Young, and the inside power of junior Will Philpot and sophomore forward Damon Tobler, the hosts went on a run. The punctuation point was provided when junior guard Bryce Slone drained a 25-foot bomb at 15:10. Suddenly, the Eagles led 62-35, and the game for all intents and purposes was over.
Coach Scott Cornett was able to get everyone in on the action as the Caney Creek boys maintained their solid play until the final buzzer sounded on the big victory.
For ALC (23-4; 14-3 RSC), five players reached double figures. They were led on the night by Young with 16 points (7-11 FG). He recorded a double-double as he dished off 12 assists. Slone was right behind as he bagged 5-10 bombs for 15 points. Philpot and sophomore forward Ben Soumahoro both contributed 11 points. Philpot continued his double-double ways by grabbing 12 rebounds. Tobler chipped in with 10 points and 8 boards. In addition, sophomore forward Noah Caudill and Akinyemi came through with 9 points and 8 rebounds and 8 points and 9 boards respectively.
Alice Lloyd connected on 55.9% (36-68) from the field, and 45.5% (10-22) from long range. They sank 66.7% (10-15) from the charity stripe. Additionally, they registered 54 huge rebounds, 3 steals, and 24 assists.
BU (7-21; 5-12 RSC) was led by Tay Smith with 17 points. His squad connected on 36.8% (25-68) from the field and 42.3% (11-23) from long range. From the foul line, they shot 50% (4-8). They also had 24 rebounds, 7 steals, and 15 assists.
The Eagles close the regular season on Saturday, February 19th at Saint Mary of the Woods College (IN). Tip-off is set for 2:00pm (EST).