Eagles Season Ends in Semis
BEREA, Ky. – The third time was not the charm this time around for Asbury as the Eagles were knocked out of the KIAC Tournament for the second straight year by Brescia University 71-65 at Berea on Monday night. The Eagles lost all three meetings to the Bearcats this season and four straight.
The Eagles (12-17) made only 2-of-15 from the free throw line in the six-point loss, shooting well below their 69 percent season mark from the charity stripe. There were 19 lead changes and 10 ties in the game.
The largest lead came by Brescia at 69-62 with nine seconds left. Asbury’s last lead came at 51-49 with over 13 minutes to play. The final tie was at 62 with three minutes left. Brescia’s 7-0 run included five missed free throws and three missed field goals by the Eagles.
Dakotah Euton and Justin Jones combined for 36 points and 20 rebounds as Euton played all 40 minutes and Jones played 38 before fouling out. Euton’s double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds was his ninth of the season and the 11th straight game scoring in double-digits. Jones’ 17 points was the second highest total this season.
Brescia (16-15) pulled down 42 rebounds compared to Asbury’s 35. Zac Brown and Troy Halcomb each scored 13 points for the Bearcats as five players were in double-digits.
Marquel Johnson was the only other Eagle with more than 10 points, scoring 11 and hitting three threes on seven attempts. Brock Hurtle added three threes and nine points off the bench in his final game as an Eagle. Leading scorer Austin Flannery shot 2-of-10 from the floor and finished with 5 points. Kyle Bair missed his only shot but dished out 7 assists.
The Eagles shot 46 percent for the game while Brescia connected on 44 percent. Asbury hit 7-of-19 from three-point range and the Bearcats made only 5-of-19. The difference came at the line where Asbury was 2-of-15 and Brescia hit 12-of-17. Neither team turned the ball over much as Brescia finished with 7 turnovers and Asbury 9.
Brescia will play Indiana Southeast in the KIAC Tournament Championship on Tuesday at 8 p.m.
