The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IF the first two games in the series were any indication, it will take another thrilling finish to decide the BAISS junior boys basketball champions.

The Aquinas College Aces evened the three-game series last night with a 41-37 win over the St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine.

Lynden Gibson led the Aces with 18 points, John Nixon added 10 and Tahj Moss chipped in with six. Joel Johnson led the Big Red Machine with 18 points and Makarios Russell finished with 10.

After trailing for much of the game, SAC took a 28-27 lead into the fourth quarter. They outscored the Aces 15-6 in the third quarter to overcome a deficit, but managed just nine points in the fourth.

The Aces opened the quarter on an 8-0 run and never relinquished the lead en route to a game two win.

After the Aces tacked on four three throws to move ahead, Nixon converted a three-point play to give his team a 34-28 lead. The run reached 36-28 before consecutive turnovers led to four easy points for SAC and trimmed the deficit, 36-32.

A runner from Moss would give the Aces some breathing room and a two possession lead (39-34) with 1:26 left to play.

Johnson would make a three-pointer from the top of the key to cut it to two, but the Aces would continue to convert from the line down the stretch.

SAC would turn the ball over on an errant pass and backcourt violation on their final two possessions as their comeback effort fell short.

After the disappointment of the game one loss, the Aces came out as the aggressors and took an early 8-0 lead. Defensively they held the Big Red Machine without a field goal in the first quarter and led 13-2.

The Aces maintained a 21-13 lead at the half and took an early 10-point lead before SAC would rally. Trailing 26-19, Johnson would convert a three-point play followed by a jumper from Russell.

Johnson’s baseline three on the ensuing possession would give SAC their first lead of the game (27-26) with just over two minutes left in the quarter.

Game three is all set for 4pm today.