Golden Eagles Make it Three in a Row

The Spalding Golden Eagles Men's Basketball Team was looking to win their third game in a row on Thursday night.  The Golden Eagles were looking to get that victory over Asbury College, an in-state foe.  If Spalding could pull out a win, it would be their longest win streak of the season.

The story of the first half was the team effort.  Seven players were able to score for the Golden Eagles.
There were eight fouls combined called for both teams.  There was solid play and solid defense played on both sides.  Karlos Thompson lead the Golden Eagles in scoring and rebounding in the first half.  He was able to record six points and six rebounds.  Dewhon McAfee also had a solid first half with five points four rebounds and three assists.  The half started out even with the two teams trading baskets for the first ten minutes of the game.  With the score tied at thirteen with ten minutes left, Spalding was able to put together a 13-2 run over the next seven minutes.  Spalding was up by nine with two minutes left in the half, but Asbury was able to score four points in the final minute of the half to cut the Golden Eagle lead to five, with the score at halftime being Spalding 28 Asbury 23.

The second half started quickly for Spalding, who was able to go on a 8-2 run in the first two minutes. 
The Golden Eagles were able to extend their league to thirteen with twelve minutes to play in the half to earn their biggest lead of the night.  That large lead would not last long though.  Asbury was able to pick up their pace and cut the Golden Eagle lead down to seven.  The teams started to trade baskets for about the next six minutes and with six minutes remaining in the game Spalding's lead was only six.  Spalding was able to overcome Asbury's sharp three-point shooting with some three point plays of their own.  Karlos Thompson and Cody Cutsinger were each able to make lay-ups plus a foul, and were both able to hit their free-throws.  The Golden Eagles survived Asbury's rally and were able to hit their free throws at the end of the game to put it way.  Karlos Thompson finished the game one point shy of a double-double.  He recorded nine points and fifteen rebounds.  Dewhon Mcafee lead Spalding with eighteen points, while Cody Cutsinger put up great numbers, finishing the game with seventeen points, seven assists and seven rebounds.

The Golden Eagles’ next four games will be played on the road.  Their next home game will not be played until Saturday, February 6, at Derek Smith Gymnasium.