By By SCOTT COOPER - Sports Writer
The Eagles of Pensacola Christian College paid a visit to Warhawks Gym for a Nov. 2 meeting with the Jefferson Davis Warhawks and exited with a hard-fought 91-88 win.
The season-opening game was a seesaw battle from the outset, as each team took turns holding the lead. The Warhawks built a 6-point lead with just over five minutes remaining in the first half only to see the Eagles fight back to take a six-point lead into the locker room at the break. Pensacola Christian stretched the advantage to 12 points midway through the second half before JDCC rallied to pull within a single point with just over three minutes left in the game. The Eagles then did what was necessary to put the wraps on the win, hitting key shots down the stretch and taking advantage of opportunities on both ends of the floor.
Following the game, JDCC head coach Allen Gainer said that although the Warhawks never accept a loss lightly, it might serve as a wake-up call for his players.
With just over three expired from the clock in the opening half, the score was tied at 8-8 when a three-pointer from Jamal Carson gave JDCC an 11-8 lead. Pensacola Christian quickly answered with a 3-point basket that again tied the game, and then the Eagles went on an offensive run over the next several minutes that gave them a 28-24 advantage with just under ten minutes left in the half.
The next five minutes belonged to the Warhawks, as 3-pointers from Carson, Logan Lucas and Jeff Foster ignited a 13-3 run that was responsible for a 37-31 JDCC lead with 5:25 remaining before the break.
PCC, however, controlled the action the remainder of the half and held a 47-41 lead at intermission.
With the two teams swapping baskets the first five minutes of the second half, the Eagles lead remained intact. Then, three consecutive baskets by PCC doubled the lead to 12 before the Warhawks began making a move.
Riding the hot-shooting touches of Foster, Corey Holt, Rafael Phillips and Damion Matthews, the Warhawks pulled with one, 80-79, with 3:20 remaining in the game. But, that was as close as the visitors would allow, as PCC hit the clutch baskets necessary to emerge with a 3-point win.
Leading the Warhawks' efforts were Damion Matthews, 24 points; Rafael Phillips, 17 points; Logan Lucas, 15 points and eight rebounds; Corey Holt, 11 points; Jeff Foster, 10 points and 13 assists; and Jamal Carson, 9 points.