Asheville, NC – Forget the records and forget what happened during the regular season, this was Championship Saturday. The Apprentice Men's Basketball was in Asheville, NC looking to defend its EMAC title against the #2 nationally ranked Clinton College Golden Bears. The two teams had met twice this season, with each holding their home court. The Builders were trying to repeat as champions and bring home another banner to Newport News.
Apprentice won the opening tip-off, to start the first half, and got on the board first with an Isaiah Jones short jumper. The Builders settled in on the defensive end of the court and forced three straight turnovers allowing Corey Joyner to give them the early lead, 4-0. Clinton would answer on their next possession and then tied the game up on their next trip down the court. Marion Moore put Apprentice back out in front but the Bears, once again would tie the game with a basket down low. The two teams traded baskets and the game remained tied until Clinton converted an offensive rebound to go ahead 10-8, at the 14:46 mark of the half. Marion Moore tied the game again after taking a pass from Corey Joyner but eventually the Bears took some control, going ahead by 3-points, 15-12. However, Vershawn Eley would come off the bench and drain a 3-pointer to pull the Builders even, 15-15. Eley would do it again later in the half, hitting a jumper when the game was tied, giving Apprentice the advantage 25-23. Again, the lead continued to change hands and as the two teams headed to the locker room, the Builders tailed only by 1-point, 33-32.
The start of the second half saw Clinton maintain a 1-point lead until Karree Smith drove coast-to-coast to give Apprentice their first lead of the half, 36-35. After falling behind again, Avin Hawkins hit a baseline 3-pointer to grab the 2-point lead and then Karree Smith pushed it to 3-points after converting 1-2 free throws. After some back and forth, Jayden Eason found the basket to keep the Builders ahead and then Tony Epps, Jr. drove the key to increase the lead to 45-39. However, the Bears would go on a run and tie the game at 45-45 and then eventually go back out in front, 49-46. They extended the lead to 7-points and would stay ahead the remainder of the game. As the horn sounded to end the game, Apprentice would fall by a final score of 71-68.
While the Builders did not come away with the championship, their season is far from over. They will enter the USCAA National Tournament as the #6 seed and open up on March 7th against Bryant & Stratton – Buffalo. Stay tuned to www.gobuilders.com for all game updates and recaps.