THE BUCCS COME UP SHORT AGAINST TROY CHRISTIAN

Brant Angle dropped in ten points, but things didn’t end the way the Buccaneers had hoped for in a 50-47 loss to Troy Christian. ©Ben Robinson/Color Green Photo

COVINGTON – There were opportunities for the Covington Buccaneers to capture their first win of the season in the TRC, but things didn’t materialize in a 50-47 loss to Troy Christian.

“We put up a good fight, but still fell short,” said Covington coach Logan Carey. “It just boils down to certain possessions. When we were getting stops in the second, we’d turn it over in transition or take some quick shots. We have to convert in those situations.”

Covington had so many golden opportunities to put more points on the board, but what hurt the Buccs the most were the wide open missed shots from the three-point range. Overall, Covington only connected on three treys throughout the entire game.

Troy Christian started the game with a 4-0 lead, but the Buccaneers scored seven straight points to take a 7-4 lead.

Unfortunately, the Eagles responded with a 7-0 run to take an 11-7 lead and eventually built a 14-9 lead after at the end of the first period.

Covington played very well defensively and held the Eagles to just five points in the second period and scored eight points to close the gap to 19-17 at the break. The score would have been much better for the Buccs at the half if they would have connected on several wide open shots that were available.

Troy Christian caught fire in the third period by scoring 16 points, but the Buccaneers continued to battle as they scored 14 points as well to stay in contention despite trailing 35-29 with one quarter to play.

In the fourth period the brothers Brogen Angle and Brant Angle picked up the intensity as the duo combined to score all 18 points for Covington in the final frame. Unfortunately, Troy Christian was able to hold on down the stretch to defeat the Buccaneers by three points.

“Troy Christian is the second seed in our sectional right now,” Carey said. “We can hang with anybody and when we figure things out, a tournament run isn’t out of the question. We are playing better basketball. We need it to come together in this next month if we are going to make a run.”

The Buccaneers, now 3-10 overall and 0-8 in the TRC, are senior laden as a team and have the talent to make a strong tournament run – IF they can find a way to increase their mental toughness throughout the rest of the regular season.

Tomorrow is another challenge as the Buccaneers host New Knoxville.

Covington’s youth came out on the floor to praise the Buccaneer basketball players during their introduction. ©Ben Robinson/Color Green Photo
1ST2ND3RD4THFINAL
COVINGTON98121847
TROY CHRISTIAN145161650

COVINGTON SCORING:
Brogen Angle – 17
Brant Angle – 10
Landin Cassel – 10
Regan Tipps – 4
Tyler Jay – 2
Tanner Palsgrove – 2
Parker Hoying – 2

TROY CHRISTIAN SCORING:
M. Barnishim – 16
R. Taylor – 14
B. Hochwalt – 10
A. Stangel – 8
A. Taylor – 2

THREE-POINT SCORING:
Covington: Brant Angle (2), Brogen Angle (1)
Troy Christian: A. Stangel (2), M. Barnishim (2), B. Hochwalt (1), R Taylor (1)

The Covington cheerleaders put together a great performance during the halftime, which is a credit to the legendary Hall Of Fame advisor Gretchen Schmidt. ©Ben Robinson/Color Green Photo
Brogen Angle led the Buccs with a game-high 17 points against Troy Christian. ©Ben Robinson/Color Green Photo