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Athens vs. Alexander AD 20200124
Isaiah Butcher (2) fights for a rebound during the Athens vs. Alexander game on January 24, 2020. The Athens Bulldogs won 61-57. (Abigail Dean | WOUB)

Athens Bulldogs Defeat Alexander to Pull Even in League Standings

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THE PLAINS, Ohio-The atmosphere was electric at Mcafee gymnasium Friday night when the Athens Bulldogs took on the Alexander Spartans. With a packed gymnasium and both teams’ fans roaring, the two teams went head-to-head with no time to quit.

Athens came into the game trailing the Spartans by a single game in the conference standings, and were looking for a key victory to tie for first in the TVC-Ohio standings.

The Bulldogs started off strong and jumped to an early lead, finishing the first quarter with a 16-10 score.

Athens continued to dominate the rest of the half with Brayden Whiting, who led the team in scoring, draining multiple shots from behind the arc.

The Bulldogs continued with a six-point lead into the second half, but the Spartans would not back down. Throughout the rest of the game, each team went back and forth, keeping the entire crowd on the edge of their seats.

Athens players cheer for their teammates during the Athens vs. Alexander game on January 24, 2020. The Athens Bulldogs won 61-57. (Abigail Dean | WOUB)
The Alexander High School student section watches Athens take a foul shot during the Athens vs. Alexander game on January 24, 2020. The Athens Bulldogs won 61-57. (Abigail Dean | WOUB)
(Abigail Dean | WOUB)
(Abigail Dean | WOUB)
Brayden Whiting (14) looks to pass the ball during the Athens vs. Alexander game on January 24, 2020. The Athens Bulldogs won 61-57. (Abigail Dean | WOUB)

The Spartans trimmed the deficit to three and it was anybody’s game in the final stretch of the fourth quarter.

With the help of Brayden Markins’ clutch free throws, the Bulldogs outlasted the Spartans by a score of 61-57.

After the game Markins shared that he stays “free and easy, like my coach always tells me,” to keep out of his own head while shooting free throws.

After Athens lost to Alexander the first time they played them this season, Coach Cozart explained what the Bulldogs did differently to obtain this key, team win. He mentioned how Athens had one of their biggest crowds ever cheering them on, which contributed to their win. As well as the fact the entire team came ready to play and it wasn’t just one or two guys who had a good game.

The Athens Bulldogs are now 11-4 and tied for first in the conference. The Bulldogs will travel to play the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes on Jan. 28 for another conference game.