Tough Loss for NCOE Cardinals
NCOE was a tough luck loser Tuesday night, falling to the (3) seed Pope County Pirates by a score of 45-42 in the opening round of the annual GEC Tournament at Deaton Gymnasium on the campus of SIC.
The Pirates looked to be in trouble early with 3 turnovers in their first 4 possession. They’d right the ship however and took a 20-16 lead into halftime. Neither team shot remarkably well.
The Fighting Cardinals battled back to take a 33-32 lead with 6:55 left in the game and led as late as 42-41 with just under 30 ticks left on the clock. The Bucs would score the last 4 however and the jolly roger remains at full staff for the tourney as Pope County escaped 45 – 42.
Joe Melton led the way for NCOE. The sophomore poured in 16. Senior Brandon Skaggs added 14. Most stats were pretty even for the game. The big difference being free throws.
The Redbirds were 6 of 8 from the charity stripe…all of them in the first half.
Pope County meanwhile, went 5 for 5 in the first half and added 7 of 9 in the second half, which more than made up for the 3 point difference.
Coach Jim Tucker and crew will return to action in a consolation semifinal Thursday night at 6:30. You’ll be able to tune in at 92.1 FM and AM 1460, WROY to hear all the action with Jeff Skaggs and Joey Lane on the mics.
