Purple Eagles edge past Raiders

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Kory Reynolds puts up a shot over Barker defender Eddie Wasnock during the Purple Eagles narrow home court win over the Raiders this evening.

Turning back a late challenge, Albion edged past visiting Barker 50-47 this evening in a Niagara-Orleans League game.

Trailing by nine with just over a minute to go Barker made the finish exciting as the Raiders sliced the deficit to three, 50-47, with 10 seconds remaining after a three off a turnover and a pair of free throws by Nate Luckman. However, the Raiders could not gain another possession.

Barker’s Nate Luckman tries to drive on Albion’s Tommy Mattison.

Tanner Ferris and Kory Reynolds each scored 12 points to lead Albion’s balanced attack as Lamar Chambers added 8, Tommy Mattison 6, Jaquess Harrison 4 and Demetrius Gardner, Jacob Buzard, Chase Hall and Liam Ward 2 each.

Luckman took game high honors with 20 and Eddie Wasnock had 15 to set the pace for Barker as Jacob Arnold added 8, Malik Smith 3 and Austin Sullivan 1.

Breaking away from a 5-5 deadlock at the end of a very low scoring first period, Albion moved back on top to stay by opening the second quarter with a 12-2 run to take a 17-7 lead. Ferris came off the bench to score 6 points to lead that urge as Reynolds, Chambers and Hall each chipped in with 2.

Four straight free throws by Chambers helped Albion maintain a 10 point, 23-13, advantage at the half.

A layup off a steal by and a fast break layup, both by Harrison, kept the Purple Eagles up by 11, 29-18, three minutes into the third period.

However, Barker came battling back as back-to-back three-point plays by Wasnock and Luckman followed by threes by Luckman and Smith pulled the Raiders back to within four, 34-30.

A late steal and layup by Chambers kept Albion up by 6, 36-30, at the three-quarter mark.

Barker did pull to within three twice early in the final period, first at 36-33 after a three by Luckman and then at 40-37 after a steal and layup by Arnld.

Albion though answered with a key 6-0 run on a jumper and rebound bucket by Ferris and a layup by Reynolds to regain a nine point, 46-37 lead with 3:10 remaining.

Ward and Buzard then scored on layups to answer Barker tallies by Wasnock and Luckman to keep the Purple Eagles on top by nine, 50-41.

Barker though made one last rally highlighted by Luckman’s three off a turnover but the Raiders comeback bid fell just short.

Albion is now 3-8 and Barker 4-6 in N-O action.

Barker’s Jacob Arnold passes around the arms of Albion defenders Kory Reynolds (22) sand Chase Hall (2).

Albion’s Lamar Chambers puts up a shot as Malik Smith defends for Barker.