Lions Hold Off Eagles in a Gritty Contest

The Norwich Lions faced a formidable challenge at home against the Eagles, a team known for their aggressive defense and smart ball movement. From the opening tip-off, the Eagles applied pressure, forcing the Lions to battle for every point. Despite missing some early scoring chances, the Lions managed to secure a slim 21-17 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The game took a sharp turn in the second quarter when the Lions' offense caught fire. With precision shooting from beyond the arc, they sank 6 of their 12 game three pointers, highlighted by a stunning deep buzzer-beater from Shamov to end the half. The Lions outscored the Eagles 25-13 in the second quarter, building a solid cushion as they went into halftime.

Determined to tighten up on defense, the Lions came out with renewed focus in the third quarter, holding the Eagles to just 2 points for the first seven minutes. The Lions' defense was stifling, forcing turnovers and denying easy baskets. However, a late surge from the Eagles saw them claw back 11 points in the final three minutes of the quarter. Despite this, the Lions maintained a solid advantage with a 17-13 score for the third quarter.

Heading into the final period with a 20-point advantage, the Lions faced another test as key player Edga had to leave due to other commitments. The Eagles capitalized, putting up their highest-scoring quarter of the game with 19 points. But the Lions matched their intensity, adding 18 points of their own to keep the Eagles at bay and secure the 81-62 victory.

In the end, the Lions' ability to execute on both ends of the court, particularly their second-quarter offensive surge and disciplined third-quarter defense, proved too much for the Eagles. It was a hard-fought battle, but the Lions' grit and determination, led by top scorers Edga, Shamov, Gaulia, and Zemeckas, carried them to a well-deserved win.

Quarter by Quarter Scores:

• Q1: 21-17

• Q2: 25-13

• Q3: 17-13

• Q4: 18-19

Top Scorers:

• Edga: 18

• D. Shamov: 14

• Z. Gaulia: 14

• Z. Zemeckas: 10