ELIZABETHTOWN – A 22-7 second-quarter St. Pauls blitz propelled the Bulldogs to a 58-40 Three Rivers Conference boys basketball victory over East Bladen Friday night.
The Bulldogs’ Sean McNeil, Jr. worked the boards for a pair of rebound baskets that sparked St. Pauls to an early 8-1 lead.
Eagle freshman Javant McDowell flipped in a runner, senior Adonis Avery lobbed in a floater, and Messiah Leach hit a free throw to pull East Bladen to within 8-6 at the quarter break.
Five points from Emonta Smith and four each from Caleb Henderson and Keraun McCormick sparked the Bulldog surge that produced the 30-13 halftime lead. Deondre Newkirk and Leach drained 3-point shots for East Bladen in the quarter.
Leach nailed two more 3-point shots in the third quarter, and Newkirk threw in another 3-pointer. Bryon Bowen tossed in a basket and a free throw for the Eagles in the period.
Romeo Jordan pumped in a trio of baskets and canned 2 free throws to keep the Bulldogs up 46-27 at the third quarter break. Jordan tallied 4 more points in the final period and led the Bulldog scoring with 12 points.
Avery fired in a 3-point shot and made 5 of 8 free throws in the final period. Guard Keshaun Davis put back a rebound and connected on 2 free throws in the quarter for East.
Avery topped the Eagle scoring with 11 points, and Leach followed with 10 points. Newkirk finished with 7 points.
St. Pauls outrebounded the Eagles 46-26. Bowen pulled down 7 rebounds to lead East Bladen on the boards.
East Bladen will return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 27th in the opening round of the Woodmen Life Christmas Tournament at West Bladen against Clinton.
EAST BLADEN (40) –Adonis Avery 11, Byron Bowen 3, Robert Cooley, Keshaun Davis 4, Zaire Turner-Dotson, Messiah Leach 10, Pierce Melvin, Deondre Newkirk 7, Javant McDowell 2, Sincere Smith 3, Anthony Wooten, Reashoid Pone.
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