Although it was a very tight nit game, the Bruins ended up falling victim to the Golden Eagles efficient shooting and constant attacks at the basket.
Three points ended up being the difference in the game with SLCC losing 79-76.
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The game started out with CSI setting the tone and establishing an early lead 12-6 at the 13-minute mark.
Coach Philips knew his team needed a timeout to slow the game down and regroup.
Following the strategic timeout called by head coach Todd Phillips, the Bruins came out much more poised and effective as they got the ball to freshman shooting guard De’sean Parsons who hit a three pointer.
Parsons, who led all scorers with 23 had an outstanding game, but also had a game-changing turnover that could have been the deciding factor.
With 12 seconds left in the game and SLCC having possession of the ball, Phillips had drawn up a play for shooting guard Parsons to receive a pass and fire a quick three pointer. The play went as planned until it hit the tip of Parsons’ fingers as he lost control, turning it over to CSI, who sealed the deal running out the clock and securing the victory.
“The play was drawn up for me to shoot the three to tie the game – it didn’t turn out how we expected it to. A lot was going through my head at that moment when I lost the ball – it happens to the best of us,” says freshman shooting guard Parsons.
In addition to Parsons scoring, forward Kurtis Toolson caught fire and had all of his nine points in the first half efforts to stay afloat contending with the Golden Eagles.
Toolson finished with nine points, seven assists and three rebounds.
“It was a bitter loss, but we can learn a lot from it,” says Toolson.
Shots were being fired back and forth the entire battle, but the Eagles found a way to control the lead for the majority of the game.
Sharp shooter Jaden Jackson usually comes into a game blazing from behind the arch, however, that wasn’t the case in this bout.
Jackson started the first half in a slump, but was able to regain his focus for the second half. He finished with a quiet 14 points, three assists and a solid three rebounds.
“I knew they would start falling and everyone was telling me to keep shooting,” says Jackson.
Even though Jackson regained his composure and came out at the second half knocking down big shots – it was still to no avail.
The Bruins momentarily hang their heads in the unwanted loss to their main and most prominent rivals, but still have the ability and hope that in the near future when they cross paths again, the outcome will be much different.
“If nothing else, we just want revenge from them beating us twice by three – knowing we can beat them,” says Jackson.
