In 1961 The Shirelles turned the popular phrase, "Mama said there'd be days like this, there'd be days like this, my mama said", in their classic hit, "Mama Said". It's a song about trying to find one's own way, but the Golden Eagles were totally off track at Bryant & Stratton Buffalo on Thursday night losing 97-64.
They just didn't expect to have "a day like this" coming in with a four-game win streak and having beaten three ranked teams in the last couple of weeks. The Bobcats however, out-everything'd KSU Tusc from start to finish.
An Ethan Bower triple and Kyle Shockley driving layup put the Eagles up early (5-4), but they didn't even come close to sniffing the lead after that.
Over a seven and one-half minute span, the USCAA D1, No. 2 ranked Bobcats commanded the lead with a 26-6 run. Trailing 30-11, the Eagles went on mini run to cut the margin to 30-18 before "the day" got even worse. Buffalo ripped off a 14-3 jaunt to break the game wide open 45-23. The decisive blow came during a 12 and one-half minute period where BSB rang up 40 points to KSU Tusc's 16.
The winners led 54-30 at the break and it was apparent from the way things were not progressing for the Eagles, that the only thing left to be determined was the final score.
With 5:38 left in the final 20 minutes Buffalo opened up their biggest lead of the night 89-49. The Eagles outscored the Bobcats down the stretch 15-8 to keep BSB from hitting the century mark.
For the game the Eagles were outgunned by the Bobcats in every category. Buffalo made 11 three balls compared to just four for the Eagles who shot 17% from behind the arc. BSB shot 50% from the floor, while the Eagles managed 31% shooting and were out-boarded 56-37.
Kyle Shockley led the Golden Eagles with 22 points, Mekhi Johnson scored 14 and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Javier Ward added 10 tallies.
Suffering their fifth loss on the season and now standing at 11-5, the Eagles, USCAA D2, No. 6 ranked have a quick turnaround in Buffalo and face Villa Maria College on Friday at 4pm. KSU Tusc recently beat the USCAA D2, No. 14 Vikings 80-77 in Founders Hall Gym and hope to have another day like that!
Javier Ward scored 10 points at Bryant & Stratton.
(Photo by Lindsey Nicholson)