Golden Eagles Fall 70-61 in NCAA First Round
ST. LOUIS – The Spalding Golden Eagles men’s basketball team fell to Washington University 70-61 in the first round of the NCAA Division III men’s basketball tournament. The Golden Eagles finish the season 20-8 overall, while Wash U. improves to 21-5.
A put back by Montray Robertson and three pointer from Johnell Hardin gave the Golden Eagles an early 5-3 lead. After Wash U’s Alan Aboona knocked down a deep three giving the Bears a 6-5 lead, SU responded with a 4-0 run taking a 9-6 lead at the 14:06 mark in the first. Wash U. scored five unanswered points taking an 11-9 lead, but SU’s Johnell Hardin knocked down a midrange jumper to knot the score 11-11.
Wash U. went on a 7-0 run to go up 18-11, but a Brasher free throw and Blakemore jumper got SU within four. WU’s Ben Hoener knocked down a three pointer pushing the Bears lead back to seven, but another Blakemore jumper sparked 7-0 SU run, making the score 21-21, with 3:57 to play in the first.
Spalding and Wash U went into the locker room tied 29-29 at the half. The Golden Eagles shot 47.6% in the first half, while holding Wash U. to 33.3%. Thomas Blakemore led the Golden Eagles in the first half, scoring eight points while going 4-of-5 from the field.
Wash U. scored three straight points to open the second half, but a Jametrius Brasher runner in the lane cut the Bears lead to one at 32-31. Trailing 39-33, the Golden Eagles scored four unanswered points to get SU within two at 39-37. Wash U. outscored SU 9-5 over the next three and a half minutes taking a 48-42 lead with 7:42 left to play.
SU’s William Barber knocked down a three pointer getting SU within three at 50-47, but Wash U. responded with six straight points pushing the Bears lead to nine at 56-47 with just under four minutes to left in regulation. With SU trailing 60-51 Brandon Goeing knocked down a three pointer and converted a free throw to get SU within five, but that’s as close as the Golden Eagles would get as Wash U. went on to win it 70-61.
Courtesy Spalding University sports information
