EAGLES FIRST LOSS A HEARTBREAKER, 60-58

Columbus, down 27-13 at the half, scored the first 23 points of the third quarter before holding on for a 60-58 won over visiting Southwest. The loss spoiled a school record-tying performance by Gio Gonzalez who hit 8 three-pointers as part of a 30-point night. The Eagles (5-1, 5-1) played great defense in the first half, controlling the boards on both ends of the floor. The final basket of the second quarter typified their early play. In a possession that last close to a minute, Southwest pulled down 5 offensive rebounds before Alex Felipe hit a basket. A couple of those rebounds were due to Southwest players out-hustling Columbus defenders with better position. Once the Eagles halted the Explorers' 23 point run, Southwest outscored the Explorers 11-2 the rest of the third period to pull even at 38-38 with one quarter remaining. Columbus (6-2, 5-0) took a 51-41 lead with 5:25 left forcing coach Tom Moore to use his final time out. The Eagles still had a shot when an Oscar Blanco basket cut the margin to 60-58 with 6.5 seconds remaining. The Explorers could not get the ball in and were called for a 5-second violation. Southwest got off a three-pointer at the buzzer that hit the iron before falling away. Two horrendous calls by the officials in the second half hurt the Eagles. After a Columbus player dunked the ball, he hung on the rim which is a technical foul. None was called, costing the Eagles two free throws. Later in the game, the ball went out of bounds without a Southwest player being within 6 feet of the ball, yet the referee awarded possession to the Explorers. An enraged coach Moore raced off the bench to yell at the official under the basket. The ref, apparently knowing how awful his call was, didn't tech Moore. Michael Juachon had 8 rebounds and Alex Mola 4 assists for the Eagles.
The scoring:
Gonzalez 30
Juachon 13
Lleonart 5
Blanco 4
Torres 4
Felipe 2