Purple Eagles nip Panthers in OT

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Tommy Mattison poured in 30 points for Albion this evening in the Purple Eagles overtime win at Newfane.

Up by a dozen at the half, Albion survived a big second half Newfane comeback as the Purple Eagles escaped with a narrow 58-56 overtime victory over the host Panthers this evening to improve to 2-1 in N-O competition.

Newfane, which used a 13-4 fourth quarter run to rally into a 54-54 tie, took the lead at the outset of the overtime period on a three by Max Weber.

However, Albion answered right back with a tying three by Brady Meakin. The Purple Eagles then got a big bucket and two clutch free throws by Tommy Mattison to claim the slender win.

“That was one we had to win. We didn’t want to fall two games off the pace,” said Albion Coach Brennan Meakin. “We built up a big lead but then we fought through the storm when Newfane rallied. We hit a couple of big threes and made our free throws.”

Mattison finished with a game high 30 points as Kory Reynolds added 9, Manwell Taylor and Chase Hall 8 each and Meakin 6 for the Purple Eagles. Reynolds also grabbed off 12 rebounds and Mattison 11.

Kyle DeVoogel scored 15, Chad Gilson 12, Weber and Brandon Gross 6 each and Zach Lajoie 5 for Newfane which drops to 1-2 in N-O competition.

Albion jumped out to a 26-15 first quarter lead as Mattison exploded for 17 points.

The Purple Eagles maintained a 38-26 lead at the half but the Panthers closed the gap to six, 47-41, at the three-quarter mark before pulling even at 54-54 to send the contest into overtime.

Alexander 55, Holley 33

Building up a commanding 28-13 half-time advantage, Alexander went on to defeat visiting Holley 55-33 in a Genesee Region League contest.

Josh Bradley led the Trojans with a game high 21 points including five threes.

Dylan Hillabush scored 14 and Nick Passarell 11 for Holley. Passarell also grabbed off 9 rebounds and Chris Balys 8.