The Roman Empire ruled most of Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa for more than 1000 years. The longevity of their reign must have seemed akin to the Golden Eagles domination over Clark State on Friday night, at least for more than 75% of the game prior to squandering away a 17-point lead and losing 65-60.
The Eagles grabbed a 15-13 lead with 6:35 left to go in a slugfest of a first half and opened up a 27-22 halftime lead on the impetus of a 7-2 run. London Cobbs (Chicago, IL / Roosevelt) nailed a 15-foot jumper near the foul line, Arthur Jackson (Euclid, OH / Euclid)---who scored KSU Tusc's first six points of the game---added a triple and DeJuan Lawrence (Akron, OH / Kenmore) made a steal and raced the length of the court for an emphatic one-handed slam that sparked the outburst.
The halftime air must have been sweet perfume in the Navy and Gold locker room, because they scored six straight points to open the final half and an 11-point, 33-22, advantage. They out-shot Clark State to the tune of 15-6 and built a 42-28 lead as the reeling Clark State coaching staff retreated to their bench.
Another Cobbs' jumper, a fast break lay-in by Jackson and backdoor layup by Brevan Raber (Sugarcreek, OH / Garaway) staked the Golden Eagles to a 17-point lead with 10:45 left to play. That's when KSU Tusc lost command and their stronghold, scoring just eight points the remainder of the game.
They went scoreless for nearly four minutes as Clark State outhustled and outmuscled the Eagles 12-2, as the lead suddenly shrunk to 54-47. Finally, DJ Haggins (Euclid, OH / New Day Academy) nailed a 12-foot jumper to break the spell with 5:38 left and it seemed like KSU Tusc was going to continue their march to triumph.
Trailing 58-52, Clark State contested a Golden Eagles rebound and in a scrum that followed, KSU Tusc was called for a technical foul. Then Cobbs, a lockdown defender fouled out and Clark State's Mike Wallace seized the opportunity to take over. Wallace scored 19 second half points---many of them down the stretch---after being held to just six in the opening half by Cobbs. The loss of Cobbs also sent the KSU offense into a state of stagnation and that's when the visiting Eagles grabbed all the momentum.
Over a two and one-half minute incursion, CSCC rang up eight straight points highlighted by court-length pass over the top of the Golden Eagles defense for a racing layup to tie the game at 60-60 with just 1:48 left to play. Like the Romans, the Eagles had become destabilized by the numerous attacks and finally fell.
With KSU Tusc stymied by the surprise blitz, Clark State took their first lead of the game since 8:39 of the first half on a deep three with 1:02 left, and added an offensive put-back with :29 left to play for the final five-point advantage. All the while, the Golden Eagles looked stunned.
Jackson led KSU Tusc with 17 points making 6/10 field goals and 3/4 free throws. Also in double figures was Cobbs with 11. Lawrence scored nine points on 3/4 shooting and snared 11 rebounds, while Braden Rostad also contributed nine points.
The loss drops the Golden Eagles to 1-6 on the season and they travel to UC Clermont next Saturday. Tuesday's game has been postponed due to COVID at Terra State.
Golden Eagles Braden Rostad (13) and Arthur Jackson defend against CSCC's Mike Wallace.
(Photo by Jason Keller)