The Fairfield Eagles built a 46-14 lead with a prolific offense and stellar defense and finished off an 82-41 win over the Groesbeck Goats on Tuesday at the Johnson Activity Center. The win kept the Eagles in the playoff race, but the night off helped the Eagles even more.
Madden McElroy burst out for eight in the opening period and Manny Brown hit a shot from outside the three-point line and one inside the line for five in the frame. They put the clamps on the Goats, holding them to six points in the first, four of them by shooting guard Jaxon Jones. Fairfield jumped out to a 20-6 lead.
Brown took hold of the scoring lead as the offense outburst continued. He hit a pair from long distance and three free throws after getting fouled on a shot. He scored 13 points in the period. McElroy added six points and the Eagles held a commanding 46-14 halftime lead.
Ja’Kendrick Turner scored five in the third and McElroy and Kohl Collins scored four each and the Eagles added to the lead.
Brown finished the 82-41 win with 21 points to lead all scorers and McElroy added 20 in the win. Turner scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half. Jaxon Jones scored 18 to lead the Goats.
The win on Tuesday allowed the Eagles to keep pace with the Buffalo Bison and the Teague Lions, teams they were tied with after the first half of district play. The Eagles had the idle date on Friday and will take on the Mexia Blackcats at the JAC.
The Groesbeck Goats hosted the Teague Lions on Friday night, and Cannon Campell scored 29 points, and the game went into overtime tied at 56-56. Campbell took over the overtime period, and the Lions missed the game-tying shot at the buzzer, losing the overtime game 71-68 and now need to pile wins over the district leaders to remain in the race.
Scott Batts reporting
