By: J.R. Tidwell

            The Bevill State-Jasper Bears evened up their conference record with a 65-63 win over the Bevill State Bears from the Fayette Campus on Thursday night, January 22. Both teams played well throughout the contest, and a failed half-court shot at the buzzer by Bevill State-Fayette was the deciding factor in determining which team came away with the victory.

            Bevill State-Fayette won the opening tip, and both teams came out on fire. Bevill State-Jasper scored the first points of the match, with the Fayette Campus close behind. Steals and three-point shots allowed the Jasper Campus to put up a 27-16 lead after the first ten minutes. Both teams slowed down their play halfway through the first period, putting up only five points between them in the next five minutes. However, Bevill State-Fayette battled back in the last five minutes of the first half, narrowing Jasper Campus’s lead to 38-33 at halftime.

            After the half, both teams again started to roll, with Fayette Campus taking their first lead of the game at the 15:23 mark. For the next 15 minutes of play, each team would tie the game or go ahead multiple times. Even though the Jasper Campus was outscored 30-27 in the second half, solid play on offense and key plays on defense allowed them to pick up the close win. When asked about evening their conference record, Bevill State-Jasper coach Al Blanton said, “It feels great. It was a close one. (Bevill State-Fayette) nearly made the shot at the last. But games usually come down to four or five plays, and we made those plays at the end of the game and we came away with the big win.”

            On offense, Bevill State-Jasper shot 41.5 percent from the floor. Ervin Herron and Darren Sadler led the Jasper Campus in scoring, Herron with 21points, three rebounds, and one assist, and Sadler with 17 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Both players dropped two three-point shots apiece, aiding in Bevill State-Jasper’s victory. Erin Harris also scored in double digits, with 15 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Mike Campbell added eight points, with Pat Carr and Kevin Wright contributing two points each.

            Bevill State-Jasper made a strong showing on the defensive side of the ball, coming up with 16 defensive rebounds, seven steals, and four blocks. Carr and Campbell led the team on defense, with four rebounds each. Carr totaled three steals and a block, with Campbell adding a steal. Herron and Sadler contributed three rebounds apiece, with Herron making two steals as well. Harris rounded out the Jasper Campus with two rebounds and three blocks.

            The Bevill State-Jasper Bears (6-13, 3-3 conference) travel to Birmingham to play the Lawson State Cougars this Saturday.