It took ACA almost a quarter to adjust to the gym, the noise and most importantly its opponent, but the Eagles came up just short in a 67-60 loss to BTW-Tuskegee. On three different occasions, Alabama Christian pulled to within a bucket of the Golden Eagles, but could never get the lead. The Eagles trailed by as many as 11 in the first period, but Avery Stuart scored the last two baskets of the quarter to cut the lead to 18-11 after the first eight minutes.
Avery Stuart looks for an opening against BTW.
Alabama Christian scored the first two points of the second quarter to cut the lead to 18-13, but then committed fouls on three straight defensive possessions that allowed BTW to score six points and open the lead to 24-13. ACA responded with a 10-0 run to cut the lead to one point as DeAndre Sneed, Braden Alford and Avery Stuart each scored in the outburst. After trading turnovers, the Eagles remarkably fouled on three straight possessions again and allowed the Golden Eagles to take a 31-23 lead. BTW led at the half, 34-25.
BTW scored the first eight points of the second half and it felt like the game might slip away, but to the Eagles credit they responded with an 18-3 run to pull within two points with just over a minute left in the third quarter. Caden Perry helped lead the charge with seven points during the run. The quarter ended with BTW leading 49-43. The Eagles pulled to within five points twice in the final period, but that was close as they could get. Alford hit the last basket of the game for the final margin of 67-60.
Jalen Clark drives to the basket.
Avery Stuart scored 20 points to lead the Eagles with five rebounds while Braden Alford had 11 points with five rebounds and three steals. Jalen Clark recorded another double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds with three steals and Caden Perry finished with 10 points and five rebounds.