Big second half lifts Rio Grande over Alice Lloyd
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rio Grande (6-0) | 45 | 52 | 97 |
|
Alice Lloyd (KY) (5-12) | 36 | 39 | 75 |
Pippa Passes, KY: The Alice Lloyd Eagles returned home on December 30th to close out 2025 with a matchup against a solid Rio Grande Red Storm squad. The game would be close most of the first half, but a big run by the visitors in the final stanza lifted them to a 97-75 victory.
In the first half RGU came out ready to rumble. Sparked by Delon McCloud, the Red Storm would race out to a quick 8-0 lead at 17:51.
From there, ALC, rode the shooting of junior guards Landon Napier and Desmier Hatchett, as well as senior guard Koji Anderson. The trio would combine for 17 points to spark a 24-10 blitz. This lifted the blue and white to a 24-18 lead as the clock passed the midway point.
From there, the Buckeye club promptly drilled four trifectas to roll off a 14-0 blitz. Now, with 6:33 showing, Rio led 32-24. Altough the hosts would get within four (38-34) on a Napier triple with 3:35 remaining, the Red Storm would manage to take a 45-36 lead into the dressing room at intermission.
In the second half, the Ohio squad unleashed a 35-17 bomb to start things, and the lead was twenty-seven (80-53) at 9:21. Although the Caney Creek crew fought hard, slicing the deficit to sixteen in just three minutes, they would never get any closer as Rio held on for the road victory.
For Alice Lloyd (5-12), four men reached double-figures. Napier played well, sinking 8-13 field goals, including 4-6 bombs, for a game-high 20 points. He also led his club with 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.
He was followed by Hatchett with 15 points, Anderson, with 11 points and 6 assists, and freshman forward Evin Eversole, with 11 points and 2 steals.
On the day, ALC shot 40.6% (26-64) from the floor, 37% (10-27) from deep, and 68.4% (13-19) from the foul line. They added 33 rebounds, 14 assists and 4 steals.
RGU (6-8) was led by McCloud with 19 points. His squad shot 55.1% (38-69) from the field, 36% (9-25) from long-range, and 63.2% (12-19) from the foul line. They added 43 rebounds, 27 assists, and 6 steals.