Newport News, VA – In one of the most anticipated small college games so far this season, The Builders Men's Basketball Team welcomed Thomas Nelson Community College to the Apprentice Athletic Center on Wednesday Night. The two teams previously met earlier in the season at the NSAC/EMAC challenge with the Gators coming away with the win. The re-match would be the first home game of the year for the Builders and they were looking to come away with the win in front of the capacity crowd.
Just like the first game, Thomas Nelson jumped out to a quick lead, 7-2. However, Apprentice settled down and after a Jayden Eason turnaround jumper, the score was tied 7-7. On the next possession, Milton Goode would give the Builders their first lead of the game, going up by two, 9-7. The Gators answered with a step back 3-pointer to regain the lead but, Jayden Eason had an answer hitting a shot down low, while being fouled. He would miss the free throw, but the Builders still held the lead at 11-10. Eason, once again, converted for Apprentice to stretch the lead to three, 13-10. In a strange turn of events, the 2nd double technical fouls were called, forcing Karree Smith to be ejected from the game, along with a player from Thomas Nelson. The next few minutes showed strong defensive efforts from both teams but with 7 minutes left in the first half, Avin Hawkins converted a 3-point play to go up 24-18. A free throw by Corey Joyner gave the Builders their largest lead of the game 29-20 and after a Gators basket, Avin Hawkins pushed the lead back to 9 points, 31-22. Apprentice was able to hold onto their lead and as the half ended, they would head to the locker with the advantage, 32-25.
Thomas Nelson started the second half with an underneath basket, but Corey Joyner answered after being fouled by hitting two free throws on the other end. However, the Gators game back down the court and converted a 3-point play, which was followed by a fast break lay-up to tie the game at 34-34, forcing the Builders to call a timeout. They were able to take the lead back, 36-34, but a 7-0 run by Thomas Nelson forced another time out and Apprentice found themselves down 41-36. A basket by Clifton Goode pulled the Builders to within one, 41-40 and Goode would hit another shot to take the lead, 42-41. However, the Gators were able to convert on the next play to regain the lead 43-42. With 8:37 left in the game, the game was tied at 45-45, until Amri Aklin put Apprentice up by one, 46-45, after being fouled and making 1 of 2 free throws. A Jayden Eason inbound basket pushed the lead to 3 points but, Thomas Nelson would retake the lead, 50-49 with 6:20 remaining. A free throw by Avin Hawkins tied game back up but once again, the Gators were able to go back out in front and with 4:35 remaining Thomas Nelson held the advantage, 56-52. Unfortunately, the Builders were unable to come back and would fall to the Gators by a final score of 71-62.
Apprentice was led by Clifton Goode, who came off the bench to lead the team with 15 points and 8 rebounds, while Jayden Eason also came off the bench and finished with 14 points to go along with his 8 rebounds. The Builders will have a quick turnaround as they hit the road for two games this weekend. On Friday they will be at Mary Baldwin University and then travel to Maryland on Saturday to face Salisbury University. Stay tuned to www.gobuilders.com for updates on both games.