Struggles at the foul line led to a Nation Ford 76-67 loss by the boys basketball team to the Lancaster Bruins Tuesday night.
The Falcons hit 15-of-32 free throw attempts in the game.
“You practice how you play,” said Nation Ford head coach Charles Brown. “We didn’t end practice well yesterday. We came out flat. It took us a while to get going.”
Neither team was able to get off to a quick start as their offenses were slow to get going consistently.
Lancaster went on a 5-0 run midway through the first quarter to get some breathing room away from the Falcons.
Nation Ford aided the Bruins with four turnovers in the quarter as Lancaster led 11-6 after the opening period.
The Bruins continued their hot hand to open the second quarter with consecutive buckets. Lancaster was able to continue to pull away with consecutive 3-pointers from Malik Tinsley.
Nation Ford was able to keep the game close as Jackson Burnham kept the Falcons in striking distance. Burnham had 13 at the half, 12 coming in the second quarter.
Lancaster’s Jordan Watford also got hot from the field as he scored 11 second quarter points as the Bruins took a 39-27 lead at the half.
Nation Ford struggled to make up any ground on Lancaster in the third quarter. The Bruins matched the Falcons point-for-point as Burnham was the majority of offense for Nation Ford.
The game become a run and gun on offense for both teams as they each scored in transition.
The Falcons sent Lancaster to the line often in the game and especially the third quarter. Nation Ford went to the line often as well, but struggled to make their attempts. The Falcons hit just 7-of-15 foul shots in the quarter, while Lancaster hit 10-of-15.
Despite their struggles, Nation Ford was only down by 10 to start the fourth quarter at 63-53.
Both Burnham and Watford put on a show in the third quarter. Burnham continued with the hot hand hitting consecutive 3-pointers to pull the Falcons to within three at 68-65. Lancaster turned the ball over on four straight possessions to aid the Falcons’ rally.
While Nation Ford counted on Burnham, Lancaster was able to spread their offense around as Tinsley scored consecutive baskets proving huge for the Bruins. He ended the game with 17 points for Lancaster.
Burnham led the Falcons with 32 points as Watford led Lancaster with 31 points.
Nation Ford fell to 4-2 with the loss.
Nation Ford girls wins by 20
The Nation Ford Lady Falcons improved to 4-2 with a 55-35 win over the Lancaster Bruins.
Both teams matched up well with each other despite Lancaster being winless on the season. Nation Ford went up early taking advantage of Bruins mistakes. But later in the opening period, Lancaster came back to take a 9-7 lead after the first quarter.
The Lady Bruins had two main threats in Eliza Baskins and Angel Cousar as they scored all nine first quarter points for Lancaster.
Nation Ford opened the second quarter on a 7-0 run to go up 14-9. Lancaster missed their first five shots in the quarter.
The Falcons outscored the Bruins 14-2 in the second quarter to take a 21-11 lead at the half as Lancaster hit just 1-of-10 shots from the field.
Neither team was able to start the second half well. Both squads matched each other point-for-point through the majority of the third quarter.
Nation Ford struggled in their shooting hitting one shot from the field in the third quarter, but was able to maintain their lead from the foul line.
Nation Ford shot better in the fourth quarter taking a nine-point lead into the period. The Falcons outscored Lancaster 24-13 in the quarter to go on for the 20-point win.
The Falcons were led by 15 points from Jalyn Bennett and 14 points from Ariah Heard.
“My young ones are playing great now,” said Nation Ford head coach Kelly Bennett. “We just can’t beat ourself. They are starting to understand.”
Nation Ford plays at Indian Land Wednesday, Dec. 13 and at Catawba Ridge Friday, Dec.15.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
