4:13 p.m. - The game between Attica and Albion is nearing tip-off and we are looking at a pretty even matchup here. Attica has some size advantage with forwards Bryan Thompson, Matt Sheffield and Craig Wolfley and is going to try to get the GR in the win column today. Elba won the first game of the Showdown last night, but the NIagara-Orleans League currently leads 4-1.
4:28 p.m. - Sheffield had all six of Attica's points in the first 2 1/2 minutes of the first quarter and the Blue Devils went on a dry spell after that, allowing Albion to score nine straight points to take a 12-6 lead after a period of play.
Brad Rush scored 10 of those points for the Purple Eagles.
4:42 p.m. - We go into the half with Albion leading 25-22, and two evenly matched teams on the floor. The Purple Eagles had a nine point lead 2 1/2 minutes into the second quarter as Kyler Hapeman hit two of his three 3-pointers in the frame.
Attica got the ball back in the paint to Sheffield for a couple of baskets to cut the Albion lead to 22-15. Fleiss got to the charity stripe and hit one and then he added another basket as the Blue Devils had a seven point run.
Hapeman hit his third trey and T.J. Phelps scored at the buzzer for Attica. The Blue Devils should try to take advantage of their size in the second half.
5:09 p.m. - Rush has been the best player on the floor through three quarters and his Purple Eagles are leading 36-29.
Rush scored six more points in the frame and was aided by 3-pointer by Russel Craft. Attica has not been able to take advantage of its size and leading scorer Tate Westermeier has been a non-factor for the most part so far, although he did hit a 3-pointer late in the frame.
5:30 p.m. - This was definitely not a pretty game for either squad, but Albion will take the win nonetheless.
The lead was extended to three points when Tom Hicks scored and Craft hit a foul shot, then Attica came storming back in the last half of the last period. Craig Wolfley scored and Bryan Thompson hit a 3-pointer and the Blue Devils only trailed by six points. After two free throws by Ben Church, Thompson scored and Westermeier drained a 3-pointer to make it 41-38.
But Albion answered right back as Hapeman nailed a 3 of his own. Church missed the front end of a one-and-one and Westermeier hit a jumper with about 35 seconds left, making the score 44-40.
Church was fouled and hit the front end this time and followed it up with a second. Westermeier missed a 3-pointer with 20 seconds left and Hapeman was fouled. He missed the first and hit the second to put Albion up 47-40.
Attica missed a jumper, Church hit a free throw and that was the game.
Final score Albion 48, Attica 40.
