A Tale Of Two Halves For CBC Against Texarkana

Erik Holth, CBC Sports Information Director

            Conway, Ark. – Playing for the fourth time at home in their first five contests of the season, Central Baptist College men's basketball hosted the Eagles of Texas A&M-Texarkana this afternoon at A.R. Reddin Fieldhouse. CBC (3-2) closed the first half strong but ultimately surrendered a halftime lead, falling 73-64 to TAMUT (3-1).

            Jalen Adams led the Mustangs with 21 points and he was joined in double figures by Brevin Brimble and Gabe Johnson, who both chipped in 10 apiece. CBC led 42-21 at halftime but were outscored 52-22 in the second half, thanks in large part to free throw shooting, which favored the Eagles 22-23 to 5-8 for CBC and rebounding, as TAMUT was +11 on the glass (41-30).

GAME FLOW

            Neither team scored for the first 2:01 until a Jalen Adams free throw made it 1-0. TAMUT would then take the lead on a three on the ensuing possession, The two teams would then trade the lead a couple different times until a Brimble three with 11:35 left gave CBC an 11-8 lead. The Mustangs would stretch the lead to as many as seven (18-11) before the Eagles fought back, cutting the lead to 23-21 with 5:46 left. Then, CBC caught fire, finishing the half on a 19-0 run to take a 42-21 lead into the half.

            In the second half, the Mustangs slowly saw their advantage shrink until TAMUT retook the lead with 5:39 left to play at 55-53.  A Brimble floater 16 seconds later tied the score at 55 and the teams traded the lead again over the next two minutes until a three from TAMUT made it 60-57 and gave them a lead they would never relinquish. The Mustangs would never get that close again as Eagles' point guard Kobe Powell went a perfect 10-10 at the free throw line over the final minute to salt the game away.

            Next up for CBC is an exhibition game on Monday night in Monroe, La., against the University of Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks before CBC opens American Midwest Conference play next Thursday in St. Louis against UHSP. Monday night's tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and Thursday night's tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.