CRC Hawks (8-15, 2-9) vs. Folsom Lake College (5-18, 2-9)
@ Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, Calif – On a Friday night at home and supporting a great cause with the Coaches vs. Cancer theme at hand, the Hawks (8-15, 2-9) wanted to give the loyal crowd something special. With all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society, recognizing cancer survivors close the CRC staff and athletes, as well as remembering ones that we have lost dear to us (you're always with us Coach Clark and Coach Wilder), the team really wanted to make this a night to remember.
Cosumnes River may have got caught up in the emotions of the beginning of the evening because they struggled early. Folsom Lake started the game with a 15-3 run, but the Hawks settled down and chipped away at the early deficit. Andre Huddleston, who continues to be a catalyst for the Hawks success as of late, carried the team in the first half with 16 points (which includes 6-for-6 from the free-throw line).
Folsom Lake's largest lead came at the 5:25 mark was 31-22. The Hawks went into the locker room down 44-37.
In the first five minutes of the second frame, CRC went on a 12-5 run to tie the game at 49-49 on 2-for-2 shooting from the line by Alex Huber. Getting to the line was the key for the Hawks in the second half as they shot 17-for-24 for 71% and put FLC players in foul trouble. The game remained within a one possession score the rest of the contest.
Later in the game, with the game tied 59-59, Kenneth Cooley drove through the lane, got fouled, and nailed two free-throws to take the lead. At the 4:25 mark, Huddleston hit a three to retake the lead a 67-65. On the next offensive possession, Huddleston scored on a baseline drive over two defenders to extend the lead 69-66. With under two minutes left, Huber got fouled after getting an offensive rebound and score attempt. The Hawks recaptured the lead 71-70 with 1:40 left.
In the closing moments of the game, after FLC scored on a 2-on-1 fastbreak off a CRC turnover, the Falcons led 72-71 with 54 seconds left. After a scoreless possession by CRC, the Hawks had to foul to stop the clock. Shooting a double bonus with 10 seconds remaining, FLC missed both shots. Cooley secured the rebound and outlet to Huddleston. Then, Huddleston attacked the middle of the floor in the backcourt and passed back to Cooley who wasn't guarded heavily. Cooley drove the lane aggressively and scored a tough, contested shot with 2.1 seconds left to retake the lead. With no timeouts for Folsom Lake, they inbounded the ball and shot a deep prayer well passed the half court line that nearly went in, but hit the back of the rim as time expired. The team rushed Cooley in congratulatory fashion. Cooley finished with a double-double at 14pts/10rbs. The Hawks earned a special win tonight over Folsom Lake at 73-72.
A few nights prior to this game, Cooley had an offensive rebound tip-in opportunity to win it over Delta that fell just short. This time he got it done for the squad by hitting the near buzzer beater. Also, some other huge highlights were Dillon Iyawe who collected a near double-double at 9pts/11rbs and game-scoring leader Huddleston with 27pts. Over the last eight conference games, Huddleston has averaged 17.3pts per game and has scored 20 or more points in the last three games.
The Hawks will travel to Diablo Valley on Tuesday 2/11 and play at home on Thursday vs. Modesto 2/13. Both games tip off at 5:30pm.