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Emmitt Clark (1)

Ukiah Daily Journal

Saturday evening the Mendocino Colleges Eagles Men's Basketball team hosted the Contra Costa Comets in a Bay Valley Conference matchup. The Eagles were coming off a big win at home on Thursday over Solano College, the deciding score coming on a buzzer-beating shot at the end of the game by Stacey Butler to give the Eagles a 58-57 win.

It was the Eagles' first win in conference play after opening with three loses. They hoped to make it back-to-back wins by beating Contra Costa who came in to the game with a 2-1 record in BVC play.

The game, a close one throughout, ultimately became a tale of two halves. The Eagles led early. Contra Costa to took a lead four minutes into the half, holding it until the Eagles tied the game a mid-half and took a lead for one possession before the Comets retook the lead and held it for the remainder of the half, leading 39-34 at half.

The Eagles were sticking to their remodeled, deliberate style of play, slowing the pace of the game down. Contra Costa continued to lead in the early going of the second half, the lead reaching its high point 3 minutes into the half, the Comets up by 8 at 47-39.

But the Eagles finally caught up with an 8-0 run to tie the game 47 all. Contra went back ahead for one possession, but the Eagles quickly retied the game and then went ahead on an Emmitt Clark three two possessions later. It was a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the game, although there was high drama at the end when the Comets closed to within 2 in the games final seconds. But the Eagles held on to claim a 66-64 win.

The Eagles got off to a good start in the game with Nate Henry knocking down a three on the Eagles' first possession of the game. A couple possessions later Alfred "Justice" Thomas IV hit a banker to give Mendocino a 5-2 lead. At the 16-minute mark, the Comets tied the game 5-5. They then went on a 6-0 run to 11-5 lead. Henry drove the base line for a slick reverse layup, with the Eagles calling a timeout with 13:45 to play in the half, down 11-7.

After the timeout the Eagles scored on their next two possessions, with Henry getting fouled on a drive and converting both free throws. On their next possession, Thomas drove for a layup. Contra Costa called a timeout.

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Strong second half carries Eagles to 66-64 win over Comets