Falcons Battle Hard, but Bear Cubs’ Second-Half Surge Seals the Game

 The Folsom Lake Falcons put up a valiant fight on the road but couldn't hold off a dominant second-half performance by the Santa Rosa Bear Cubs, falling 94-80 in a high-energy conference clash Friday night at Haehl Pavilion.

The Falcons came out strong, taking a 38-35 lead into halftime. Sharp shooting from beyond the arc, led by Logan Rexford (18 points, 4-10 3PT) and Colin Billy (17 points, 4-7 3PT), helped Folsom Lake keep pace with Santa Rosa's relentless attack. Miko Bear was a force on both ends, finishing with 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists.

However, the second half was a different story. Santa Rosa erupted for 59 points in the final 20 minutes, flipping the script on the Falcons with aggressive rebounding and efficient scoring. The Bear Cubs dominated the glass, out-rebounding Folsom Lake 45-28, with Andrew Pengel leading the charge with a game-high 27 points and 10 rebounds.

Despite the loss, Folsom Lake showed resilience and offensive balance. Five players scored in double figures, and the team shot a respectable 40% from three-point range. However, the Falcons struggled to match Santa Rosa's physicality in the paint, a factor that proved decisive down the stretch.

With just a few games left in the season, the Falcons will look to bounce back and fine-tune their defense before the playoffs. Their next challenge will be at American River College, where they hope to regain momentum and solidify their standing in the conference.