To say the Golden Eagles---winners of five straight games---were enjoying the excitement of a No. 9 ranking is understated.
To say that Penn State Beaver---were losers of 12 straight games---would be surprising for how hard they compete.
So, Kent State Tuscarawas had everything to lose, while the Lions had everything to gain in the final game of the PSU Beaver Christmas tournament and both prophesies were realized. The hosts were in control for the last 26 minutes of the game and stole the show with 10 steals, that thwarted an Eagles comeback in winning their first game of the season, 66-60, on Saturday afternoon.
The Lions snuck out to an early 7-2 lead before the shorthanded Eagles realized what hit them. KSU Tusc responded with a 7-0 spurt to take the lead 9-7 when DeJuan Lawrence put back a missed shot at the 14:22 mark of the first half. The Eagles went on to hold the lead for five minutes, but couldn't muster up more than a three-point, 20-17, lead after a London Cobbs drive and foul shot with 9:35 showing on the clock.
Working toward the halftime break, PSB responded by holding the navy and gold to just two baskets in the last 2:37 as they fashioned a an eight-point, 37-29 advantage. A short jumper by Lawrence cut the lead to 37-31 just 23 seconds before the horn sounded to give the Eagles a little bit of momentum.
Plagued by five turnovers and two errant shots in their first seven possessions of the final half, the Eagles found themselves in a 15-point hole trailing 46-31. They finally managed a couple of free throws by Lawrence with 16:08 left, but didn't record a second half field goal until nearly five minutes had elapsed when Lawrence stuck in an offensive board. The deficit was 48-35.
It took a lot of time off the clock, but over the next 13 minutes the Eagles were very efficient on both ends of the floor and whittled the lead to 61-57. During that span, the 6' 8" Lawrence blocked a shot at the top of the key, possessed the ball and raced full court for a layup. He netted six points during the uprising and London Cobbs scored eight points working himself inside the Lions defense for layups.
Kyle Shockley also managed a pair of free throws and a three-point shot for his first points of the game with 2:29 left as KSU Tusc mounted a charge.
Still, the Eagles had a golden opportunity with just :54 ticks left in the game. They failed on three shots during one possession however, when they gathered the carom from a missed shot from behind the arc, but missed a short shot in the lane and a stick back of that shot as well.
They turned the ball over with :27 left after a Lions free throw, but an Ethan Bower triple got them within 64-60 before a pair of freebies sealed the game for hosts.
Playing without the services of Kameron Shockley, the team's second leading scorer and rebounder, the Eagles leaned heavily on seniors, Cobbs and Lawrence. The former scored 28 points on 12/19 shooting to go along with nine boards, while Lawrence added 17 points and 15 rebounds for his second straight double-double.
The Eagles (7-4) are now idle until Wednesday, December 21, when they host Penn State Fayette at 5:00 p.m. in the first annual Golden Eagles Christmas Classic.
London Cobbs scored 26 points against the Lions.
Kyle Shockley goes to the rim against Penn State Beaver.
(Photos by Lindsey Nicholson)