The Fairfield Eagles completed the regular season on a winning note and head to the playoffs as the final qualifier in District 20-3A. The road win in Buffalo sealed the fourth-place finish behind the Franklin Lions, Crockett Bulldogs, and Groesbeck Goats.
Fairfield found the going tough throughout the first half of the contest with the Buffalo Bison. The Eagles went on a third period run and withstood a comeback in the final seconds to win 65-61.
The Eagles grabbed the tip and quickly Kamren Griffin scored to take the early lead, however, a couple of three pointers allowed the Bison to lead 6-2. Griffin hit a three pointer to draw within one point, but the Eagles would get no closer for the remainder of the period and trailed 19-13 after the first.
Rex Bean drove in a scored to begin the second period and Camren Daniels went on a personal 6-0 when he scored near the basket on offensive rebounds to tie the score at 21-21. Pierre Allgood hit a shot to regain the Eagle lead at 24-23. Buffalo pounded the offensive glass and took the lead back with three minutes left before halftime. Bean hit a three pointer with just under two minutes remaining to tie the score 28-28. After two misses at the free throw line, Caleb George found Griffin cutting to the basket for a score that kept pace and it was a one-point lead for the Eagles heading into the locker room.
A quick three pointer put the Bison ahead, but that was quickly answered by Bean. Bean missed a three pointer on the next possession but Griffin grabbed the offensive rebound and scored and fouled, but he missed the free throw and the Eagles began to pull away at 41-35. The lead swelled to 49-37 on a Tucker Moore steal and pass to Dekerione Cunningham for the easy score. Buffalo closed the gap slightly to a 51-43 score heading into the final period.
The lead remained eight or higher until the last couple of minutes. Buffalo closed the gap to 60-59 in the final minute and Cunningham hit a pair of free throws to lead 62-59. Griffin and Bean would combine to hit three out of four free throws to close out the game and the win 65-61.
Fairfield moves on to play the Little River Academy Bumblebees on Tuesday night as part of a doubleheader in Hearne. The Fairfield Lady Eagles will also take on Academy in the regional quarterfinal and the first game will begin at 6:00 p.m.
