The Fairfield Eagles faced an old foe in the first round of the state playoffs and found it difficult to get ahead and fell to the Franklin Lions 66-47 at Leon High School on Tuesday night.
Connor Colvert scored five points in the first period to keep the game close, but Phillips added eight for the Lions. Fulton tacked on eight more in the second in the balanced scoring night for the Lions. Manny Brown worked inside for a pair of scores and the Eagles trailed at the half 37-24.
The Lion defense defended the shooting well and held the Eagles to eight points in the third period. Joshua George hit a second half three pointer and Colvert added another, but Smith scored 16 to lead all scorers in the playoff win.
