The Fairfield Eagles evened their district record at 1-1 with a road loss to the Palestine Wildcats 72-56.
The teams exchanged opening scores with Kadarius Walker nailing a three pointer and Trey McWilliams hit a short jumper. They were matched by Matt Wages and Isreal Fatade for a 5-5 score. Jaise Oliver hit a three near the end of the quarter but Enoch Fatade scored a pair of baskets and Wages added a three pointer and Palestine led 18-12.
Kolby Adams and Kolbe Branch each hit a three pointer and cut into the lead. Adams sliced through the Wildcat defense and scored and was fouled. He hit the free throw and cut the lead to 24-23. L.A. Wiggins hit a couple of three pointers and they restored the lead to seven. Kobe Freeman had a late lay in and the lead was 32-28 with the Palestine Wildcats ahead.
Israel Fatade and Wages each had three pointers and Oliver and Adams matched those scores. The lead remained the same as the teams headed into an exciting fourth quarter.
Oliver and Adams scored at the beginning of the final period and cut into the lead. Tempers began to flair and the Eagles were issued two player technical fouls and two bench technicals. Wages hit all four free throws and the Wildcats extended their lead. Fairfield took to hitting shots from long range but the Eagles only one of nine in the final moments.
Kolby Adams led the Eagles with 19 points and Wages led all scorers with 25 points and hit five three pointers. The Wildcats hit over 50% from the field by making 23-45 shots. Palestine also hit 17-32 from the free throw line.
Fairfield will resume travel to Madisonville to take on the Mustangs.
