Lamarion Miller hit a short jumper with 15 seconds remaining and the Mexia Blackcats held onto a home victory against Fairfield. The Eagles remain a half game in front of the Blackcats and could fall into a tie with the Blackcats for second and third in the district race.
Fairfield controlled the first half and appeared to be well on their way to a sweep of the Blackcats. Jaise Oliver scored and Kobe Freeman scored eight in the first period to build a double-digit lead. Chris Matthews hit a three pointer to close the gap, but they would miss 11 of their final 12 from the field for the remainder of the period. Carl Daniels came in for Freeman when he picked up his second foul and scored and the Eagles led 15-7 after one.
Jaden Proctor hit a short jumper in the opening moment of the second period, but the Eagles hit their first four in the frame. Devin Cunningham hit a three and scored on a driving lay-up. Jordan Gibson scored early, and Daniels added another score. Josh Beachum and Matthews were able to go on a quick run and close the gap to six and Mexia trailed 27-21 at the half.
Fairfield shot the ball well in the first half but the third period the shooting did not come out for the second half. The Eagles only made two of 12 from the field and scored five points. Both scores stopped runs by Mexia and kept the game close. Gary McWhirter scored on a put back for a four-point lead and Proctor, Beachum and Matthews scored near the end of the third period 40-32.
Cunningham slashed to the basket for a score to cut into the lead. Gibson added a score and DJ Houston grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back to tie the score at 40. Jalon Busby took control of the offense when Proctor and Matthews fouled out and scored on two critical possessions. Gibson scored and was fouled to complete the three-point play and Oliver scored and hit the foul shot with 2:25 remaining and the Eagles were ahead by on at 47-46. Busby hit a shot and Oliver had a free throw and the game was tied 48-48 with a minute to play. Cunningham drove to the basket and was fouled and hit one out of two at the line to give the Eagles a 49-48 lead with 37 seconds remaining. Miller took an errant pass off the out of bounds play to lay in the potential game winner with 15 seconds remaining.
The Eagles had an opportunity for the win with seven seconds to go. Cunningham took the pass at full speed and entered the lane and was called for an offensive foul and Mexia ran out the remaining two second for the 50-49 win.
Fairfield and Mexia trail Palestine in the district race with Madisonville in the fourth spot. Fairfield and Mexia could finish the season tied for second and third. Madisonville comes to the Johnson Activity Center on Tuesday for a critical game and then they will host winless Rusk on Friday.
(Sports Photography by Melissa Lee)
