Falcons Edge Beavers in Nail-Biter, Snap Conference Losing Streak
The Folsom Lake Falcons broke through in dramatic fashion Thursday night, defeating the visiting American River Beavers 64-62 in a game that went down to the wire. With the victory, the Falcons improve to 7-12 overall and 2-5 in conference play, snapping a four-game skid.
Both teams entered the game with identical records, and their play mirrored that balance from the opening tip. The first half ended in a 25-25 tie, setting the stage for a tightly contested second half.
The Falcons leaned heavily on their backcourt leader, Logan Rexford, who poured in a game-high 20 points. Rexford connected on 3-of-7 shots from beyond the arc and hit all three of his free throws, delivering crucial baskets to keep the Falcons ahead late in the game.
"We've been battling all season, and this one means a lot," said Rexford. "We stayed composed, stuck to our plan, and got the stops we needed when it mattered most."
The frontcourt duo of Colin Billy and Miko Bear was pivotal on the boards, with each pulling down nine rebounds. Billy added 12 points on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting, while Bear showcased his passing skills with a team-high five assists.
Key contributions off the bench came from Miles Lake, who scored nine points and hit clutch free throws in the final minute, helping the Falcons withstand a furious rally from American River.
Defensively, the Falcons stepped up, forcing 11 steals and limiting the Beavers to just 37 points in the second half despite their surge.
American River had its own standouts, but turnovers and missed opportunities from the free-throw line proved costly.
For Folsom Lake, the win represents more than just a number in the standings; it's a confidence booster as they look to gain momentum heading into the second half of the season.
"We've had some tough breaks this year, but tonight showed what we're capable of when we play together," said Falcons head coach Bill Benford. "This group has heart, and we'll keep building on this."
The Falcons will look to string together another win as they head to San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton on January 21st. .
Key Stats:
- Logan Rexford (Folsom Lake): 20 points, 3 rebounds
- Colin Billy (Folsom Lake): 12 points, 9 rebounds
- Miko Bear (Folsom Lake): 7 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists
Folsom Lake shot 34.4% from the field and made 82.4% of their free throws, while American River struggled in key moments despite a strong push in the second half.
Final Score:
American River 62
Folsom Lake 64