LUCKY NUMBER 13: #3 RVC Fights Back at Joliet to Win N4C Opener
Box Score #3 Rock Valley College Men's Basketball found themselves in a new situation Wednesday night: facing a halftime deficit for the first time all season. The Golden Eagles trailed by as much as 14 points early in the second half, and down 75-68 with 2:12 remaining in the game. RVC managed to fight back, closing the game on an 11-2 run to win 79-77 at Joliet Junior College. The Golden Eagles stretch their win streak to 13 games, and are now 16-1 overall (1-0 in N4C).
"We had plenty of moments where we looked like a team that has not played in 15 days," said Head Men's Basketball Coach
Evan Lavery. "That is just a very small part of the puzzle. Joliet executed well, and we had mental lapses where we were not sharp defensively. Despite not being as cohesive as we have been before break, I was impressed with the grit and togetherness our team showed. There were a few times where the train about came off the tracks, but we held it together and made some timely plays."
Joliet went on a run over the last 5 minutes of the first half to take an 8-point advantage into the intermission. The Wolves did not stop there, quickly getting up 14 points with a little over 17 minutes remaining in the game. The Golden Eagles gradually settled in and progressively chipped away at the lead. In the last 6 minutes of the game, behind timely free throws, and three made 3-point field goals (
DeAnte Barnes,
Darius Branch 2) in the game's final possessions, the game was knotted at 77 points with roughly 40 seconds remaining. RVC's defense stepped up with
Elijah Pappas picking up 1 of his 8 steals and finishing with what proved to be the game winning lay-up on the other end. The Golden Eagles rallied on behind 54% shooting from the field, and forcing 22 Joliet turnovers.
Four Golden Eagles recorded double figure scoring, led by
DeAnte Barnes with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Darius Branch added 19 points.
Elijah Pappas recorded 14 points, 8 steals, and 6 rebounds, while
Malique Ross chipped in 12 points.
UP NEXT
The Golden Eagles are back in The Nest on Saturday, January 6th at 3 PM against Harper College as N4C play continues.
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