In a showdown for first place in the SOC Division I race, the Beaver Eastern Eagles handed the Green Bobcats their first league loss in a thriller Tuesday, 60-59.

Wednesday, January 26, 2000

In a showdown for first place in the SOC Division I race, the Beaver Eastern Eagles handed the Green Bobcats their first league loss in a thriller Tuesday, 60-59.

Both Green and Eastern are tied for first at 7-1.

"I thought we battled all night. It was a very competitive game and I was proud of the effort we got out of our kids," Green coach Kevin Lewis said.

"Now, we just have to get back in the gym and go back to work. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We have to look to Friday with East coming to town for a league game, and it’s homecoming."

Michael Riffe scored 21 points before fouling out to lead Green (9-2). Alex Poe had 15 points and seven rebounds and Chris Williams added 13 points and four assists. Kyle Dyer had six rebounds.

Matt Hines had a game-high 22 points and Ryan Montgomery scored 15 to pace Eastern.

The Bobcats jumped out to a 17-8 first quarter lead keyed by a pair of 3-pointers by Williams.

"I thought we did a nice job the first quarter when we got off to a nice start. All five starters scored," said Lewis.

Eastern stormed back to get within 31-29 at the half as Hines scored 13 points. Riffe had seven points to keep Green in front.

Robby Day scored six of his eight points the third quarter to trigger a 23-13 run by Eastern that put the Eagles up 52-44.

Poe scored six points the fourth quarter and Green held Eastern to eight points, but the Eagles were able to survive for the win.

Green hosts Portsmouth East Friday in an SOC game.

GREEN – 17 14 13 15 – 59: Joe Salyers 0 0 0-0 0, Ben Dyer 0 0 0-0 0, Jeff Dixon 0 0 0-0 0, Michael Riffe 4 2 7-8 21, Chris Williams 1 3 2-4 13, Kyle Dyer 2 0 0-0 4, Alex Poe 6 0 3-7 15, Kyle Darnell 1 0 0-0 2, Jesse Ferrell 0 0 0-0 0, Jacob Yarnell 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 21-38 (5) 12-19 59. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: Riffe. Turnovers: 17. Assists: 7 (Williams 4). Rebounds: 29 (Poe 7, K. Dyer 6).

BEAVER EASTERN – 8 21 23 8 – 60: Robby Day 3 0 2-2 8, Jared Hattle 1 0 1-2 3, Kevin Green 1 1 1-2 6, Ryan Montgomery 6 0 3-5 15, Dustin Salisbury 1 0 0-2 2, Matt Hines 9 0 4-10 22, Robert Costa 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 23 1 11-23 60. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.