The Selma Times-Journal

The 3-point basket was the downfall for the Wallace Community College Patriots in their 90-58 loss to the Wallace-Hanceville Lions on Saturday night. With this loss, the Patriots are now 1-6 for the season.

“We played a better team. That’s the reason for this loss.

From what I understand, they are undefeated and ranked No. 6. Wallace State is not the team to not play your best against,” said Patriots coach Johnnie McCalpine.

The opening tipoff went to the Lions, and Jerrell Boswell hit a 3-point basket to put them on the board first.

The Patriots struggled to put points on the board. Brandon Thomas hit a 3 that was answered with a 3 from the Lions’ Taylor Dunaway.

Boswell hit six 3-point baskets for 18 of his 22 points in the first half of the game to help push the Lions out to a big lead over the Lions.

Thomas sunk a 3-point basket from way downtown just before the buzzer, and the Patriots were trailing 48-28 at the half.

“We were missing two of our best offensive players tonight. They just out played us. Our two players were greatly missed. We should be a better team once those two players are back,” said McCalpine.

With just over 14 minutes left to play in the second half of the game, the Patriots found themselves down by 30 points. The Lions hit five of their 14 3-point baskets in the second half, four of which came from Dunaway. Their defense and their offense were just too much for the Patriots and instead of closing the gap, it increased.

A lot of things contributed to the Patriots’ lost to the Lions.

They were 13-of-37 from the field, 6-of-24 from behind the arc, and 14-of-25 from the free throw line.

They also turned the ball over 20 times.

Brandon Thomas led the Patriots with 18 points. Allen followed with nine points, three rebounds, and two assists.

Phillip Johnson added eight points.

The Lions were led by Taylor Dunaway with 23 points. Jerrell Boswell added 22 points, six rebounds and two assists. Cory Cooperwood added 13 points, three rebounds and four assists.