A losing streak can have a devastating effect on a team's approach to a game! Often times, teams buy in to their recent history and instead of being excited for a challenge, they proceed with lots of anxiety.
Mired in a four-game losing streak and playing at USCAA, No. 12, Cincinnati Clermont (13-6), the No. 10, Golden Eagles (12-9), had plenty to play for on Saturday afternoon. And play they did as the navy and gold didn't back down from the Cougars---winners of five of their last six games---who overcame a 13-point second half deficit to snare a 77-74 win in Founders Hall in November.
The keys to winning during a slump are mental toughness and execution, and KSU Tusc followed that prescription to the letter as they dominated from start to finish in an 85-75 win over UCC in the Cougar Dome on Saturday afternoon.
Following a turnover on their opening possession, the Eagles could have easily imploded with that "here we go again mentality", but instead they exploded. London Cobbs muscled in a basket for the first score of the game and accounted for nine of the Eagles first 11 points, as they soared to an 11-0 lead. The defense confused the Cougars who didn't make their first hoop until 5:32 had ticked off the game clock.
To have made a respectable effort would have been defeat in itself, but KSU Tusc gave themselves the greatest chance at victory by ramping up the pressure on both ends of the floor for the entirety of the 40 minutes.
Blasting to a 25-15 lead they nearly silenced UCC, when Cobbs grabbed a rebound and weaved his way past the Cougars going coast-to-coast for an easy basket. Then Kyle Shockley sank two free throws and a Braden Rostad three-ball found its mark and suddenly the Eagles owned a 17-point, 32-15 advantage with 5:52 left in the opening stanza.
But some hot shooting brought the Cougars new life as they outscored the Eagles 15-4 and chopped the lead to 36-30 with just over two minutes left. That's when KSU Tusc hit the gas pedal and responded with a 10-4 run to take a 46-34 lead into the halftime break.
The breakout was fueled by a beautiful Cobbs head fake in the lane for a basket and foul shot for a three-point play, two baskets by Kameron Shockley---one a two-handed dunk off a long baseball pass from DeJuan Lawrence on a defensive rebound and the other a runout layup after a Cobbs steal and outlet pass. JaJuante Young got the other bucket on an acrobatic lay-in off another full court pass off a defensive board.
The second half was all Golden Eagles who limited the hosts to just six scoring possessions in their first 23 offensive sets---just 26% offensive efficiency---as they succumbed to a 20-10 onslaught to open the final half.
With 7:22 left in the game, Cobbs picked off an errant pass near midcourt and streaked downcourt for an easy layup. One possession later Kyle Shockley found big brother Kameron all alone on the baseline for another deuce and then DeJuan Lawrence put back an offensive misfire with 5:52 to play and the Eagles advantage stood at 72-49.
It wasn't long after the Cougars had seen enough and pulled most of their starters, while the Eagles put it on autopilot and coasted home to the much needed and impressively earned victory.
Leading the way for the Golden Eagles was Cobbs with 24 points. He scored 13 points in the opening half, while Kameron Shockley had a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Kyle Shockley scored 10 points and Lawrence collected 12 boards.
Next up for the Eagles (13-9) is a trip to Berrien Springs, MI, for two-game weekend that includes contests against Finlandia University and Andrews University. Both games will be held at Andrews University, with KSU Tusc playing Finlandia on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 8pm and the homestanding Cardinal on Sunday at 2pm before returning home.
JaJuantae Young directs the Golden Eagles offense.
Kameron Shockley had a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds while DeJuan Lawrence grabbed 12 missed shots.
Kyle Shockley scored 10 points in the win at UC Clermont.
(Photos by Lindsey Nicholson)