Eagles hold off Mckenzie for win

Published 5:12 pm Monday, January 7, 2019

The Pleasant Home Eagles opened up area play with a 55-49 road-win over the McKenzie Tigers.

It was a tight battle from the moment the game began.

Both teams came out fighting for the hopes of winning the first area match of the year.

Kaleb Piland and Austin Kelley led the charge for the Eagles with four points each in the first period.

Josh Ruth and Jacob Price finished the first period with two points each as the Eagles held a 12-11 lead heading into the second period.

In the second period, both times traded the lead back-and-forth.

Kelley was leading scorer for the Eagles in the second period with seven points.

Logan Royals had two points as the game was tied 21-21 at halftime.

The Tigers came out strong in the third period and were able to take their biggest lead of the game.

Ruth and Price had three points each for the Eagles, but McKenzie was on top 36-31 heading into the fourth period.

In the fourth period, Kelley put the Eagles on his back as he led the comeback.

Kelley opened the fourth period with a big 3-pointer and then the buckets began to drop in flurries.

After knocking down shot after shot, Kelley ended the fourth period with 15 points to help led the Eagles back for a 55-49 victory.

James Hawkins had four points in the final period for the Eagles.

Kelley finished the game with 30 points for Pleasant Home.

Piland came in with eight points, Ruth finished with six points and Price tacked on five points.