MEDORA
Despite a strong start, Medora’s boys basketball couldn’t pull out a victory against Eminence Wednesday night at the Hornets Nest.
The Hornets (3-13) led 26-22 at halftime against the Eels (8-7), but gave up 23 points in the third quarter en route to a 59-41 loss last night.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
In the first quarter, the teams tied four times before an and-one conversion by Owen Sullivan and basket by J.D. Fish put the Hornets up 13-8 with 1:36 on the clock.
A 3-pointer by Jayvin Spurgeon, with 13 ticks left, extended the Hornets’ lead to 16-12 by the end of eight minutes of play.
The Eels retook the lead at 19-17, with 4:52 left in the second quarter, before the Hornets’ offense got rolling.
Keaton Seniours hit a 3-pointer and Spurgeon added a pair of free throws to spark a 9-3 run to close the half.
At the break, the Hornets had outrebounded the Eels 15-13 while both teams had 11 turnovers.
The Eels took advantage of six Hornets turnovers in the third quarter.
Three straight turnovers by the Hornets led to six straight points for the Eels to start the second half.
Up 28-26, the Eels went on a 12-5 run to boost the advantage to 40-31 with 2:45 on the clock.
Going into the final period, the Hornets trailed 45-34.
“We have no room for error,” Hornets coach Mark Morin said. “When we play a full quarter like that, it takes us out of the game. I was pleased with the first half and part of the fourth quarter.”
Sullivan scored four quick points and Fish drained a trey to cut the Hornets’ deficit to 50-41 with 5:03 left in the game, but Medora wouldn’t score another point the rest of the way.
Sullivan led the Hornets with 12 points while Fish recorded seven points, 13 rebounds, five assists and six blocks.
The Hornets outrebounded the Eels 29-25, but had 18 turnovers to the visitors’ 12.
Dylan Campbell and Shawne Michaelis each scored 12 points to pace the Eels.
“I was proud defensively,” Morin said. “When we’re clicking, we’re a pretty decent time. We’ll figure it out. We have Cannelton coming up and will have a couple good days of practice.”
Medora will host Southern Roads Conference foe Cannelton Saturday.