The Fannin County Rebels basketball team traveled to Murphy, North Carolina for a match-up against the Bulldogs Saturday, February 1.
The Rebels and Bulldogs battled for four quarters, but the Rebels were able to hold off Murphy for a close 48-46 victory.
The Bulldogs were able to outscore the Rebels 16-11 in the first, as Landon Norton led the Rebels with five points on a deep three ball and a two-point basket. Kaeden Twiggs sank a two-point bucket and two free throws, while Jerritt Holloway was able to get a two-point basket to drop. The Rebels trailed the Bulldogs 16-11 heading into the second quarter.
Norton heated up from downtown in the second, scoring three, three-point baskets for nine points. Hyde converted two, two-point baskets, while Jordan Bennett and Brady Martin scored a two-point bucket each.
Jalen Ingram worked the paint, churning out a two-point basket and a free throw to give the Rebels a 20-point second quarter.
Fannin outscored Murphy 20-13 in the second as the Rebels lead 31-29 at halftime. Murphy rallied in the third quarter, outscoring Fannin 14-9. Ingram kept the Rebels in the game, scoring six points on three, two-point baskets. Twiggs rattled in a two-point basket and a free throw to cap the third quarter scoring as the Rebels trailed the Bulldogs 43-40 to start the fourth.
The fourth quarter went back and forth between the Rebels and Bulldogs. Fannin was able to score eight points with Andre Bivens hitting two clutch, two-point buckets. Ingram continued to be a bully in the paint, scoring three points on a two-point bucket and a free throw. Bennett converted a free throw to end Fannin’s offensive output.
The Rebels held Murphy to just three points in the fourth quarter, which included the missed buzzer beat that ended Murphy’s chances of making a comeback. The Rebels were able to head back to Georgia with a 48-46 victory.
FC 11 20 09 08 - 48
MHS 16 13 14 03 - 46
Rebels summary:
Points: Norton 14, Ingram 12, Twiggs 7, Hyde 4, Bivens 4, Bennett 3, Martin 2, Holloway 2.
Free throws: Twiggs 3-5, Bennett 1-2, Ingram 2-5.