Mix falling a spot in the national rankings, add playing the team ranked right behind you, fold in a two-game losing streak, sprinkle in a little senior night celebration in your last home game of the season and---viola---you have the perfect recipe for a victory.
Kent State Tuscarawas followed those directions to the letter and led by as many as 33 points (68-35) in taking down USCAA, DII, No. 8 Villa Maria College 88-72 on Wednesday night in Founders Hall Gym.
The high flying Eagles busted out early with lone senior, Arthur Jackson---usually a non-starter---scoring a bucket off the opening tip and raining down a triple moments later as the Eagles raced to a 10-2 lead. The advantage stretched to 19-9 before the Vikings found their legs and fought to within 29-25. It was as close as they would get the rest of the night.
Subbing back in the starting lineup late in the first half was a shot in the arm for the Eagles who made a 14-4 run to close the first half for a 43-29 lead heading to the locker room.
Eight points by DeJuan Lawrence who drained a 15-foot baseline jumper, followed up two missed shots at the rim and a circle button spin move into the lane got the Eagles soaring.
It was more of the same in the final half, as the Navy and Gold sunk the Vikings incursion into the Eagles territorial waters.
Right where he left off at the outset of the game, Jackson scored the first bucket of the second half. Soon after London Cobbs set the nets afire with a three-ball, he and Jackson teamed up for the most poignant play of the game. Cobbs made a steal and was driving for a certain Eagles basket when he slowed and waited for Jackson who was trailing the play.
In a huge act of unselfishness, Cobbs---just several feet from the hoop---bounced the ball to Jackson for an easy deuce as the bench roared their approval of the unselfish act. That play in the end could have made Cobbs the highest scorer of the game, but he ended up sharing that honor with Jackson. No doubt he would not have wanted to have it any other way.
Jackson went on to score three more baskets, the prettiest on a backdoor cut to the hoop with 4:41 left on a great find by, who else, but Cobbs.
Jackson and Cobbs led three Eagles in double digit scoring with 19 points apiece and Lawrence added 14 with eight boards and three blocks. Jackson had a big senior night leading the team with 12 rebounds and splashing home 9/14 shot attempts from the field. Cobbs dished out seven assists. The Eagles shot 54% from the floor and 33% from behind the arc converting on 9/27 attempts. They also made 7/12 free throw chances for 58%, scored 21 points in transition, outrebounded Villa Maria 42-32, dished out 23 assists and made six blocks.
The Victory raised the Golden Eagles record to 13-6 and more importantly gives them a huge boost of confidence as they hit the road for seven straight road games. On Saturday, February 12th they travel to Andrews University for a 7:30 p.m. matchup and catch Edison State on their return trip on Sunday.
JaJuantae Young contests a Vikings shot and Arthur Jackson lines up a three-ball and scored 19 points on senior night.
London Cobbs chases down a loose ball and scored 19 points versus Villa Maria College. Photos by Jason Keller