The Fairfield Eagles completed the regular season with a win over the Buffalo Bison 69-60. The road win clinches third place in District 20-3A behind the Mexia Blackcats and Franklin Lions. The Groesbeck Goats finish in the fourth-place position.
The Eagles jumped out to a quick 15-9 lead, but Buffalo clawed their way to nearly even and trailed 16-13. Pierre Algood and Jy’ren Canady scored early and the Eagle defense controlled the interior. Craig Shannon took the Buffalo offense and kept the game close with offensive rebounds and scores to close the gap.
The play continued through the second period and the Bison hit a late shot in the frame and took the lead into the halftime break. Camren Daniels made his mark in the middle with an offensive rebound and a thunderous dunk in traffic. He would pick up fouls and remain the final couple of minutes on the bench. Buffalo took the 29-28 lead at halftime.
Fairfield came out of the halftime break and hit their first four shots of the second half and took a ten point lead. Buffalo missed seven of their first eight and had to put some solid defense together to cut into the lead. Algood scored three consecutive times down the floor and Camren Daniels regained control of the middle. Fairfield regained the lead and held a 49-43 advantage after three periods.
Buffalo had one run left and cut the lead to 50-48 early in the third before the Bison began missing shots and several missed in a row would not put them in the lead. Fairfield pushed the lead to nine, but Shannon and Luke Pate would hit shots to answer down the stretch. The Eagles would hold onto the lead and claim the 69-60 win.
Pierre Algood scored 17 to lead the Eagles and Jacorey Daniels followed with 16. Rex Bean scored 14 points and Camren Daniels was the fourth Eagle in double figures with 11. Shannon led all scorers with 19 points.
The Fairfield Eagle playoff run and will play the Bumblebees of Little River Academy on Monday at Midway High School in Waco. It will be the second game in a doubleheader. The first game will be the Groesbeck Goats and the Lorena Leopards.
