The Benedictine Mesa Men's Basketball Team put up a strong fight against Embry-Riddle but ultimately fell short with a final score of 77-71 in a closely contested game on Wednesday night at home.
1st Half:Â The Redhawks started the game on a high note, quickly establishing an early lead.
Benjamin Ramirez kicked off the scoring with a jump shot, and after a defensive rebound, he capitalized on an Embry-Riddle turnover to extend the lead to 4-0 with a layup. Ramirez continued his impressive performance by hitting a three-pointer, bringing the score to 12-4. Despite some strong efforts from Embry-Riddle, including a layup from David Teibo, the Redhawks maintained their composure and consistency on offense.
Tanner Crawford and
Deven Franks contributed significantly, helping to secure a 21-15 lead. Franks's three-pointer widened the gap, but Embry-Riddle responded with a three of their own from Isaiah Wong. The Redhawks held on to finish the half strong, leading 38-36, showcasing a mix of strong defensive plays and offensive contributions that set the stage for an exciting second half.
2nd Half:Â The second half brought even more intensity, with both teams battling fiercely for supremacy. Peter Dress from Embry-Riddle drained a three-pointer, giving them a narrow lead at 39-38. Crawford quickly responded with a jump shot to regain the lead for Benedictine at 40-39, but Embry-Riddle's Isaiah Wong fired back with another three-pointer, pushing the score to 42-40. The back-and-forth continued, with
Benjamin Ramirez tying the game at 42-42, only for Dress to strike again from beyond the arc, extending Embry-Riddle's lead to 45-42.
Following a timeout, both teams intensified their efforts. Embry-Riddle's Christian Wells made a jump shot, widening their advantage to 47-42.
Deven Franks from Benedictine responded with a three-pointer, narrowing the score to 49-47, with Crawford providing the assist. However, Embry-Riddle maintained their momentum, as David Teibo scored a layup to put his team up 51-47. The game saw some missed opportunities for the Redhawks, but Franks capitalized on a foul to score free throws, making it 53-49.
As the game progressed, Embry-Riddle's Demari Hackett extended the lead to 56-49 with a layup and free throw. Despite a valiant effort by
Malik Payton, who sank a three-pointer to close the gap to 56-52, Embry-Riddle's offense kept the pressure on. Crawford's persistence on the boards and defensive plays shone through, leading to a layup that brought the score to 61-56. The tension heightened as both teams fought hard, but Embry-Riddle ultimately secured a crucial victory as the final minutes ticked down.
Key Players:
Looking Ahead:Â The Redhawks will be back in action on Saturday, February 8, as they hit the road to take on The Master's.
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