APEX — Thales Academy defeated Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy 62-54 in the first round of the CAASC state playoffs.
The Bulldogs jumped in front 4-2 early, but Thales rallied with a 16-0 spurt to go up 18-4, before the Dawgs closed the gap to 18-8 at the quarter break.
Marquese Robinson fired in a trio of 3-point shots for Paul R. Brown in the second quarter, but the Titans still managed to maintain a 37-26 halftime lead.
The Bulldogs rallied in the third quarter outscoring the Titans 13-8 to trim the margin to 45-39. Paul R. Brown pulled to within 5 points in the final period, but an advantage at the foul line kept the Titans on top.
“Everytime we got close, they would go to the foul line,” said Bulldog Coach Ken Cross. The Titans connected on 20 of 29 free throws, while the Bulldogs made the only free throw they attempted.
“We had 24 fouls called against us and only three against them in the entire game,” Cross said. “In all my years of coaching I have never had a game like that. I’m not saying we weren’t fouling, but I think they were too.”
Zarian Brown topped the Bulldog scoring with 13 points. T. J. Smith followed with 11 points, and Marvin Lacewell and Robinson finished with 9 points each.
“We missed too many lay-ups, and we gave up too many lay-ups,” said Coach Cross.
Paul R. Brown will close out their season Tuesday with a non-conference game against Community Baptist. The game will be played at Elizabethtown Baptist Church.
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