Looking to put the brakes on a losing skid dating back to early January, the Fort Campbell boys’ basketball team had the job half-done Monday night against visiting Montgomery Central, TN. However, after leading at halftime, the Falcons went cold in the second half and were overtaken 45-38 by the Indians.
The Falcons appeared to be in trouble from the first whistle, trailing 7-0 before coach Robbie Townsend called a timeout. Whatever Coach Townsend said to his team worked, as they responded with a 13-2 run, including a steal and thunderous dunk by Ke’Shawn Daniels, to take a 3-point edge to the second quarter. Fort Campbell’s Nate Massey contributed 6 points, twice finishing through contact for a couple of 3-point plays.
Fort Campbell found itself trailing by a point late in the first half, but Cameron Pratt connected on a corner 3-pointer and Aaron Hall knocked down a couple of free throws for a 5-0 run and a 25-21 Falcon advantage at the half.
After the break, the Falcons seemed to be on the verge of opening up a double-digit lead, with Hall following his own miss ahead of another 3 from the corner by Pratt for a 30-22 advantage. But Montgomery Central’s Isaac Rankhorn reeled off 10-straight, passing 1,000 points for his career in the process, to nudge the Indians in front 32-30. With :25 left in the quarter, Savion Lyle drilled a 3 to give the Indians a 37-32 lead with a quarter to play.
Pratt opened the fourth with a layup, but that would be as close as the Falcons would get. Montgomery Central’s Tyrone Hite scored 4 of his 8 points and the Indians outscored the Falcons 8-6 to hold on for the win.
Fort Campbell finished 14/44 from the field, including 4/19 from 3, for 32% overall. The Indians shot 17/41 for 41%, including three 3-point makes on twelve attempts, and won the rebounding battle 30-28. Both teams had 9 offensive rebounds.
Montgomery Central 10 11 16 8 — 45
Fort Campbell 13 12 7 6 — 38
Montgomery Central (3-17) — Rankhorn 25, Hite 8
Fort Campbell (6-17) — Pratt 10, Hall 6, Daniels 6, Massey 6
