Posted: Nov 12, 2019
BREVARD, N.C. - Despite a second-half comeback that set up a game-tying three-point attempt at the buzzer, the Brevard College men's basketball team (0-1) lost its season opener to visiting Toccoa Falls (2-6) on Tuesday night at the Boshamer Gymnasium.
Senior Levi Lamb led all players with 22 points as one of four Tornados to score in double figures in the opening game of the 2019-20 season. Demari Hopper produced 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field while Qadhafi Turner and Cannon Lamb each scored 10 points.
Joshua Turner came off the bench to lead the team in rebounds (seven) to go along with five points. Hayden Cassell added seven points, going 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.
The 2019-20 season began with Cannon Lamb finding Levi Lamb on a streaking pass toward the basket that resulted in a thunderous dunk for the first BC points of the year.
Brevard would take an 8-6 lead early on before Toccoa Falls would reel off a 9-0 run to build a 15-8 advantage with 12:26 to play in the first half. The Screaming Eagles then maintained their lead throughout the opening half to take a 32-23 lead into halftime.
The Tornados battled back, coming out of halftime to outscore Toccoa Falls, 22-12, over the first nine minutes of the second half. BC's scoring run was capped off by a Demari Hopper layup and a converted three-point play to give the Tornados a 46-45 lead.
The game became a back-and-forth affair over the following minutes with several lead changes until Toccoa Falls stretched its lead to 71-63 with just 48 seconds to play.
A Levi Lamb dunk cut the deficit to six points, however, two made free throws by the visitors brought the spread back to eight with 38 seconds to play.
Turner hit a three-pointer to make it a 73-68 game. Following a one-make, one-miss trip to the free-throw line by the Screaming Eagles, Turner then drew a foul and sank two free throws to cut the deficit to 74-70.
Toccoa Falls would miss two free throws and Turner would strike again with another three-pointer to cut the lead to one. A quick foul by Turner sent Luke Bahem of Toccoa Falls to the line where he made both free throws.
Down 76-73, the Tornados pushed the ball up court and Levi Lamb launched a potential game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer which just missed as Toccoa Falls left the building with the victory.
For the game, Brevard outshot Toccoa Falls 44% to 41%. The Tornados struggled from beyond the arc, making just four of their 19 three-pointer attempts. The game featured seven ties and eight lead changes.
Brevard returns to action with another home contest on Friday night vs. Pensacola Christian College. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Boshamer Gymnasium.
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