Bob Jones comeback falls short against Decatur
Tanner Finley launches a three that tied the game at 42
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)
MADISON- After six wins to start the season, Bob Jones lost to Decatur Tuesday night 45-42 but not before a spirited comeback fell just short.
A slow start prompted by cold shooting had the Patriots down by an early deficit of 15-3. Decatur had their biggest lead at 28-8 after a 3-point basket by Kaleb Smith. At halftime Bob Jones trailed 30-12.
Five straight points by Dalton Barkley opened the second half as the Patriots started a run. A Josh Mitchell three cut the lead to 14 and two steals and free throws by Mitchell cut it to nine at 38-29.
Tanner Finley took over for Bob Jones in the fourth quarter. He had a three point play, steal, blocked shot, and his three-pointer tied the game at 42 with two minutes left.
But Josh Mitchell missed two free throws that could have given Bob Jones the lead and Decatur held on for the win as a Dalton Barkley three at the buzzer was too strong.
Barkley led Bob Jones with 12, Josh Mitchell had 12, and Finley had 10.
“It’s hard to recover when you score just 12 points in a half,” said Bob Jones coach Graham Aderholt. “When you catch up you have to continue on that roll, it’s hard to get all that momentum back. But I’m proud of the kids the way they fought back. We just got to learn from it.
My concern is the guys don’t lose confidence from this loss. We have played extremely well to this point,” Aderholt said.
The Patriots must quickly rebound as they hit the road for their first area game at Hazel Green Friday night. They will face 6-foot-7 UAB signee Lewis Sullivan who is averaging 20 points per game. Also back is junior forward Ethan Stair. Hazel Green Head Coach Todd Jeffers was named Alabama Coach of the Year last season.
“They are very talented team with two of the best players we will see all year,” Aderholt said. “We’ve got to be ready.”
Last season Bob Jones got their only area win of the season at Hazel Green with a 66-52 victory.
