Purple Eagles survive cold free throw shooting

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Luke Bell battles for the ball with Oakfield-Alabama’s Brent Mancuso-Scofield and Carson Warner during the host Purple Eagles narrow win over the Hornets this afternoon.

Surviving some ice cold free throw shooting in the final quarter, Albion edged past visiting Oakfield-Alabama 56-52 in a non league boys basketball game this afternoon.

Up by as many as 16 in the third quarter, Albion saw Oakfield-Alabama come battling back to within three, 51-48, down the stretch as the Hornets took advantage of the Purple Eagles frigid 2 of 18 free throw shooting in the final stanza.

Albion’s Isaiah Riley drives in for a layup ahead of his teammate Tyler Olles and Oakfield-Alabama’s John Cianfrini.

Back-to-back baskets by Isaiah Riley, which upped the Albion advantage back to seven, 55-48, helped to lock up the Purple Eagles win.

Avery Watterson led the Hornets with a game high 20 points as Gavin Armbrewster and Brady Williams both had 7.

Tyler Cody scored 12, Wesley Olles and Riley 10 each and Kyler Radder 8 to lead the Purple Eagles balanced scoring.

Albion jumped out to a 19-11 first quarter lead as Radder tallied 6, Riley 5 and Seth Krenning 4.

The Purple Eagles upped the advantage a bit to 12, 39-27, at the half as Olles netted 6, Cody and Nate Gibson 5 each and Luke Bell 4 in the second period.

A three by Cody followed by a basket by Radder and two free throws by Krenning upped the Albion lead to 16, 46-30, midway through the third period.

However, the Hornets got back in the game by answering with a 10-2 run to close the period, including 8 by Watterson, to cut the deficit to 8, 48-40.

Albion’s frigid free throw shooting down the stretch then helped to open the door for Oakfield-Alabama to make the finish exciting.

The Purple Eagles are now 3-4 overall.

Seth Krenning goes up for a shot for Albion as Gabriel Smith (32) and Carson Warner (1) defend for Oakfield-Alabama.