Albion tops Elba to halt lengthy skid
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Blake Preston puts up a shot as Elba’s Michael Long tries for the block. The action took place during the Purple Eagles win over the Lancers at Genesee Community College this afternoon.
Snapping a lengthy eight game losing streak, Albion downed Elba 44-34 at Genesee Community College this afternoon as part of the Niagara-Orleans League vs. Genesee Region League Basketball Challenge.
Blake Preston took game high scoring honors for Albion with 16 as Wesley Olles and Kyle Radder both had 7, Tyler Cody, Seth Krenning and John Eibl 4 and Brody Vercruysse 2.
Michael Long scored 12 and Angelo Penna 8 to lead Elba as Ryan Marceill added 6, Ashton Bezon 5 and Nicholas Scott 3.
Albion jumped out to a 13-4 first quarter lead as Preston tallied 7 and Cody 4.
The Purple Eagles extended their advantage to 16, 28-12, at the half by closing the second quarter with a 10-0 run as Preston hit a three and Radder, Eibl and Vercruysse all had baskets.
Albion maintained a 12 point, 30-18, lead at the three-quarter mark despite scoring just two points on a pair of free throws in the third period.
The Lancers did rally back to within six, 40-34, late in the final period after a 10-3 run on a three by Long, a two by Bezon and five free throws but could get no closer.
Preston hit two big threes in the final period for the Purple Eagles which finally put a lock on the victory on two clutch free throws each by Radder and Olles in the final 20 seconds.
Albion’s John Eibl tries to drive against Elba defender Angelo Penna.