The Fairfield Eagles finished off the week with a win and a loss and continue to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot. The finished the week tied with the Teague Lions and Groesbeck Goats, all with 4-3 district records.
Fairfield opened the week on the road to take on the Groesbeck Goats. A close game became lopsided with a big second half and the Goats protected their home court with a key district win.
Eagles #0, Rex Bean keeps a close hand on the ball while driving down court.
The Eagles took a 2-1 lead on a short jumper from Pierre Allgood. Fairfield would get to Rex Beam free throws and that would be their first period total. Braden Hurt scored inside to give the Goats back the lead and the Groesbeck offense hit four of their final six shots from the field. Two of those shots were three pointers by Allen Lewis and the Goats led 17-4 after one period.
Fairfield maintained the deficit throughout the first half but they did get to within ten when Dekerione Cunningham nailed a three pointer and that was as close as the Eagles would get the remainder of the night. They trailed 36-21 and were dominated in the third period when the score swelled to 59-29 heading into the final period.
Groesbeck hit four three pointers in the second half and weather a late run by Fairfield in the first moments of the final period. Cunningham hit a three pointer and Bean hit a pair from long distance and the night would end with a Groesbeck 70-48 win.
The Eagles returned to the Johnson Activity Center on Friday to take on the Buffalo Bison. Fairfield needed to win to break a three-game losing skid and stay in contention for a postseason spot.
p for two is Eagles #2, Dakerione Cunningham.
Buffalo does not factor in the playoff race but they led for a portion of the first half. Allgood had a steal and score for an early Eagle lead and then Buffalo took a 10-6 near the end of the first period. Bean hit a baseline jumper at the buzzer to close the gap to 10-8 at the end of the first period.
Cunningham had a steal and score to tie the game and the Bison grabbed the lead but it was short lived. Kamren Griffin drew the defense to him and kicked it out to Allgood for a three pointer and then Griffin scored off of a lead pass from Caleb George on the fast break. George and Griffin connected on a score and Griffin had a steal and lay up to end an 11-0 run and take a 23-14 lead.
Buffalo went on a 6-0 lead late in the period but a George put back of a missed shot gave the Eagles a 27-24 halftime lead.
Fairfield opened the lead up to double digits midway through the third period. Cunningham hit a baseline three pointer and followed with a steal and coast to coast score to finish an 11-0 run to extend the lead to 43-29 late in the period.
Cunningham hit a three pointer to put the Eagles up by their largest margin of the game at 56-40 and Bean added another to restore the lead when Buffalo went on a final small run to end the game. The Eagles closed out a 68-55 win.
Teague held on at home to defeat the Groesbeck Goats 47-44 to force the three-way tie in the playoff race.
–top right: Eagles #0, Rex Bean keeps a close hand on the ball while driving down court.
–at left: Up for two is Eagles #2, Dakerione Cunningham.
(Photos by Ashlyn Garcia)
