Those lucky enough to see the Alba-Golden vs. Edgewood game last Tuesday saw a real gem. It was an excellent basketball game. Unfortunately for the home side, Edgewood prevailed 70-65.

The last two minutes determined the game.

The game was tied at 62 with 2:15 to play. An Alba-Golden turnover on an inbound play under their own basket gave Edgewood possession. The Bulldogs converted one of two free throws to take a 63-62 lead.  Jon-Michael Chadwick then drove the lane and was fouled. He hit one free throw to tie the game at 63 with a minute to play. 

The Panthers were whistled for a blocking foul, sending the Bulldogs to the line. Edgewood made the first, missed the second, but put the offensive rebound back for a score. The 3-point play turned out to be the key play of the game. Score: 66-63 Edgewood.

Chadwick promptly drove the lane and scored. A time out was whistled. With :36 on the clock, the Panthers were down by one point 66-65. As the seconds ticked down, the Bulldogs found a seam in the pressuring Panther defense and drove for a score. Score 68-65 Edgewood.

The Panthers had a good look at a 3-pointer but the shot found iron. An Alba-Golden foul on the rebound put Edgewood back on the line and they finalized scoring, 70-65. 

The action and excellent play was not limited to the closing minutes.  Alba-Golden started fast. Great inside play (Boedy Baker had 18 points on the night), and timely assists from Chadwick (22 points) saw the home side take the early lead. 

Edgewood’s inside scoring and forced turnovers evened the score at 17 early in the second period. The visitors outscored the Panthers 22-13 to close out the first half, as turnovers and poor foul shooting plagued Alba-Golden. 

The Panthers played some of their best basketball of the season coming out in the second half. Boosted by timely play from Jack Patton off the bench, they outscored Edgewood by 12 points to take a 53-51 lead into the fourth. 

One of the most shining plays of the night was a give-and-go from Tim Mitchell to Baker back to Mitchell. Although the shot did not fall, it was a moment of basketball beauty.

Alba-Golden held the lead until the 2:15 mark of the fourth.  Four fouls (two defensive and two offensive) and missed foul shots combined to stymy the home side. In the end, it was the fundamental play of Edgewood which took the game.