Falcons’ Second-Half Surge Falls Short Against Diablo Valley

 A furious second-half comeback wasn't enough for the Folsom Lake Falcons as they fell just short against the Diablo Valley Vikings, 67-62, on Tuesday night. Despite an inspired effort after halftime, the Falcons couldn't fully erase an early deficit, suffering a tough home loss.

A Tale of Two Halves

The game got off to a rough start for Folsom Lake, as Diablo Valley came out firing. The Vikings built a commanding 42-27 halftime lead, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities and defensive pressure. Marshawn Smith led the charge for Diablo Valley with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Khai Curry added 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

However, the Falcons refused to go down without a fight. In the second half, Miko Bear took control, leading Folsom Lake's rally with a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double, including four three-pointers. The Falcons outscored the Vikings 35-25 after the break, cutting the deficit to just a few possessions in the final minutes.

Micah Hobson also stepped up, contributing 17 points and six rebounds, while Logan Rexford added 12 points and six rebounds. The Falcons improved their shooting in the second half, hitting 37.5% from three-point range, but struggled from the free-throw line, converting just 10-of-19 attempts.

Key Moments and Missed Opportunities

A late three-pointer from Bear brought Folsom Lake within three points with just over a minute left, but missed free throws and a costly turnover allowed Diablo Valley to hold on. The Vikings controlled the boards, winning the rebounding battle 46-38, and their tenacious defense forced six turnovers in key moments.

Looking Ahead

Despite the loss, Folsom Lake showed resilience, proving they can compete with top teams in the conference. The Falcons will look to bounce back in their next matchup, aiming to turn their second-half intensity into a full-game effort.