A lot of things factor into the results of a 40-minute basketball game. Unfortunately for the experienced Golden Eagles, they weren't mindful enough to take care of the things that propelled them to a Cinderella season one year ago, as they were upended by visiting Cincinnati Clermont 77-74 on Saturday afternoon.
Mid way through the opening 20 minutes, the Eagles trailed 19-14 before ripping off seven straight points to take a 21-19 lead. A 9-1 burst padded their advantage to 30-22, but the Cougars stole the momentum back and trimmed the lead to 34-30 before the first half buzzer sounded.
At the outset of the final half, it seemed as if KSU Tusc had disrupted UCC's plans to keep the game close as they raced to a 49-36 lead on the strength of three Braden Rostad free throws and a James Roundtree stick back at the 14:20 mark.
But the Cougars hung around and knotted the game at 60-60 following an Eagles turnover and two missed shots at the rim with 6:21 to play. Clermont took their first lead since a 19-14 advantage mid-way through the opening half (62-60) converting on two free throws and then a triple after a KSU Tusc misfire to open up a 65-60 lead.
The Eagles tied the game at 65-65 on two Kyle Shockley free throw chances with 4:07 left, but promptly fell behind 69-65 after a turnover and an offensive put back literally gave the Cougars four straight points.
The margin teetered between two and four points until London Cobbs made a driving lay up with 1:24 showing to get the Eagles back to 72-70. After a UCC miss, the Eagles had a golden chance on a wide open three-ball from the right corner, but the shot missed its mark and the Cougars were off and running.
A spin into the lane produced a 74-70 KSU Tusc deficit with :45 left. Another KSU turnover and foul spotted the visitors to a 75-70 lead as possessions were at a premium.
JaJuantae Young drove the middle of the lane for a quick Eagles basket to draw within 75-72 with :18.2 left and UCC tried to catch them napping on a full court toss on the ensuing inbounds pass. It appeared that the Cougars would get an easy game deciding backet, but DeJuan Lawrence swatted the ball away from the rim as the Eagles tried to turn the tables.
A 60-foot baseball pass to Kyle Shockley to the top of the key produced a Cougars foul with just :10.5 left in the game. Shockley split the pair, missing the second offering, but again the Eagles had another golden opportunity as they grabbed the carom and fired it outside for a triple to win the game. That shot missed and so did an offensive put back in the lane as time waned to a meager :0.2 seconds on the clock.
A rebound foul called on a KSU Tusc player would have sealed the Eagles fate, but a technical foul was called on the Cougars at the same time. The Eagles had yet another golden opportunity but split 1/2 free throws to trail 75-74.
UCC converted on both free shots to decide the final score (77-74).
The Eagles, now 2-2 on the young season, placed five players in double figures as Lawrence scored 13, Kyle Shockley 12, Cobbs 11, while Kameron Shockley and Rostad both scored 10.
Next up is a trip to play the Community College of Beaver County on Saturday, November 26th at 3:00 p.m.
Vinnie Roper looks for an opening in the Cougar defense.
James Roundtree secures a rebound.
(Photos by Lindsey Nicholson)