The Blue Eagles hosted cross-river rival River on Tuesday evening January 14th and were defeated by the Pilots 50-40. Magnolia started the game hot and went out to a 21-12 lead after the first quarter, but turnovers and cold shooting doomed the host Eagles. Magnolia would lead throughout the game until the fourth quarter. River also was cold shooting but used a strong fourth quarter, outshooting the hosts 15-2 to get the victory. The Pilots improved to (4-5) with the victory, while the Eagles dropped to (4-3) on the season.

Coach Mark Romick’s team was led by Evan Longwell with game high scoring honors netting 15 points that included three 3-pointers, while Lucas Dennis added 14 points for the winning Pilots.

Magnolia was led by Kingston Christen with 13 points and three from behind the arc in the first quarter and Noah Hood added 8 points scoring the first 5 Blue Eagles points of the game including a three-pointer.

The Blue Eagles received nine first quarter points from Christen, all on 3-pointers in the first eight minutes, while Hood had six of his eight in the first frame. However the Blue Eagles went ice cold in the second quarter and only scored four points, all coming on Hunter Oates free throws as they couldn’t make a basket. River hit for 11 in the frame to get back in the game as the Blue Eagles led 25-23 at the break. Evan Longwell drilled two 3’s in the frame.

Following the halftime break Magnolia outscored the Pilots 13-12 to head into the final eight minutes up by three 38-35. In the fourth River’s defense rose to the occasion and limited Magnolia to one basket, to get the win. Longwell had seven of his game high points in the period.