Alice Lloyd Eagles Basketball opens 2025 season, drop 85-81 decision to Midway University

 Pippa Passes, KY: The Alice Lloyd Eagles opened the 2025-26 basketball season by hosting an athletic Midway University Eagles squad. In a game of runs that went down to the final seconds, the host Eagles saw a game-tying goal come up short, and they dropped a 85-81 victory.

In the first half, the hosts started well. Fueled by the one-two punch of guard Koji Anderson and forward Evin Eversole, the Pippa Passes posse jumped out to a 19-10 lead. However, sparked by Sarvell Barksdale and Sam Parrish, Midway went on a huge 26-7 run to lead 36-26. To their credit, ALC fought back. Guard Landon Napier and forward Naz Welch both drained several shots to fuel a rally. When Anderson connected on a pull-up jumper just before the halftime buzzer, the Caney Creek crew took a 41-40 lead into the dressing room.

In the second half, the squads battled as the host Eagles used a pair of Anderson jumpers to hold on to their lead (53-49). However, Midway guard Amari Wales caught fire and led his squad on a huge run. As the clock neared the five-minute mark, MU maintained a 9-point advantage.

Once again, the home crew refused to fold and they began to chip into the deficit. When Midway missed a rare free throw with .24 ticks remaining and an 84-81 lead, the blue and white had the ball with a chance to tie.

On their final possession, the home squad got a look at a trifecta from Eversole at .02, but it came up just short. MU then sank 1-2 free throws to set the final score.

For ALC (0-1) Anderson led the way with 18 points. He sank 6-11 from the field (3-5 3FG) and 3-3 from the charity line. He also had 2 assists and 1 block.

Eversole started his Eagle career by registering a double-double. He pumped in 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while also nabbing 4 steals, and handing off 2 assists.

Also reaching double figures was Napier with 15 points (5-8 FG, 3-4 3FG). He added 6 boards and 2 assists. In addition, Welch came through with an 11 point-11 rebound double-double of his own. Guard Wilgus Tolson also chipped in a pair of assists.

The home crew shot a respectable 48.3% (28-58) from the field and 47.6% (10-21) from long range. However, they hurt themselves immensely by only sinking 60% from the charity stripe (15-25). They added 41 rebounds, 10 assists, 6 steals, and 2 blocks.

Midway (2-1), who placed four players in double-figures as well, was led by Wales with 21 points and 7 assists. He rammed in 19 in the important second half.

His team shot 43.1% (28-65) from the field and 47.6% (10-21) from long range. They won the game by sinking 79.2% from the charity stripe (19-25). They added 36 rebounds, 15 assists, 6 steals, and 4 blocks.