Athens beats down Alexander in a big rivalry game
By: Katie Bailey
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Alexander, OH (WOUB)- The Athens Bulldogs took the quick trip over to Alexander for the rivalry matchup against the Spartans. Bulldogs take the rivalry win, 63-48.
Alexander started at the technical foul line before the game even began. But Easton Nuzman from Athens came out blazing up and down the court. The Spartans found their feet to tie up at the end of the first, 13-13.
In the second quarter, Klaxton Hawk for Alexander ran out full steam ahead. However, aggressive plays from Bulldogs, Weston Wheatly, and Nuzum forced the first Spartan timeout of the night. Wheatly hit another massive three with an assist from Leo Martin, forcing Alexander to take another timeout. Hawk helped pick up Alexanders’ spirits, leading into the half, 35-32.
Now in the third, Athens and Alexander went back and forth battling it out. But Bulldog Brady Keller couldn’t be stopped under the hoop with his rebounds. Keller had nine rebounds for the night and seven points. Nuzman also remained on fire in the rebound column with six for the night. The Bulldogs take the third quarter, 45-44.
The Spartans couldn’t seem to find their way in the fourth quarter. Maybe due to Bulldog, Zach Mullins hit a massive three from the corner one minute into the quarter. Forcing Alexander to take another timeout, followed by Athens taking their only timeout. In the middle of the fourth, freshman Collin Chapman hit a three, Athens up 48-44. The momentum switched after that bucket, and Alexander just couldn’t keep up. They tried to ice out Athens with a timeout. But Mullins hit his second three for the night, and the goodbye chants began from the Bulldog student section. Martin held the ball for the last 45 seconds of the game and secured the rivalry win for Athens, 63-48.
The win moves Athens to 2-2 in conference play. The Bulldogs will face off again on Tuesday against Gallia Academy.