Hampton had an upset in mind on Saturday night. However, Cosby did everything to prevent it.
The Bulldogs saw their season come to a close with a 67-64 loss to the Eagles in the opening round of the Region 1-A tournament despite a furious rally in the final minute led by Dru Owens – who finished with an impressive 33-point performance.
It was a back and forth battle from the opening tip as Hampton held an early lead through the first part of the quarter. After Cosby took their first lead at 11-10, the Bulldogs jumped back in front with eight points from Jaydon Livingston to take a 21-20 advantage into the second quarter.
Cosby opened the second quarter on a 5-0 run to take the lead. That helped the Eagles maintain a 34-33 advantage at the half.
Owens along with Ivan Martinez, Hunter Davenport, and Gavin Hardin hit shots to help Hampton jump back into the lead by the midpoint of the quarter, by Cosby’s Isaiah Benjamin answered with a pair of 3-pointers. The Bulldogs, however, countered to tie the game at 46-46 after three complete quarters of play.
In the fourth quarter, Owens pushed Hampton int the lead as he scored the first seven Hampton points of the frame. Cosby tied the game with 2:46 remaining and edged ahead with just under two minutes to play.
With 1:05 to play, the Eagles held a six-point lead. Hampton, however, continued to battle as Hunter Davenport cut the deficit to four. A pair of 3-pointers from Owens cut the gap to one point with just over 10 seconds remaining, but Hampton was unable to get back in front before time expired.
Livingston and Hardin had eight points apiece, while Davenport had six points.
Cosby was paced by Ty Way’s 25 points and Benjamin’s 20 points.
Photos courtesy of Seth Butler/Newport Plain Talk.
