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Alliance, Ohio – The Carrollton Warriors held on to defeat the host Alliance Aviators, 65-60, on Friday at Harry Fails Gymnasium.
Friday’s matchup definitely lived up to top billing.
Alliance jumped out to an early 5-0 lead thanks to a dunk from Diego Allen and an early bucket. However, Carrollton quickly responded, thanks to the efforts of Lincoln Mallarnee.
Mallarnee had 14 points for the Warriors in the first quarter, and sank three triples to help Carrollton race out to a 20-11 lead late in the first quarter. A K’Vaughn Davis triple cut the Warrior lead to 20-14 going into the second.
Alliance went on a 6-0 run from there to tie the score up.
Senior forward Diego Allen had a huge hand in the Aviators efforts, coming up with 14 first half points. He also came up with a handful of blocked shots as well.
Alliance would end the first half with a 35-33 lead thanks to a Ramhir Hawkins second-chance cleanup.
The two teams went back-and-forth like a pair of heavyweight prize fighters in the third quarter, answering buckets left and right. Jaxon Rinkes had a huge bucket at the end of the third quarter to give Carrollton a 48-46 lead.
Jaxon Rinkes also had a couple of additional baskets that helped keep the Warriors in the lead. Micah Barkan, Lincoln Mallarnee, and Cadyn Smith all came up clutch down the stretch as well. Rinkes’ latest score put Carrollton up 61-57 late in the contest.
J.R. Jackson hit a layup and converted the and-one with :59.0 seconds left to draw Alliance to within 61-60. The Aviator defense stepped up and forced a Carrollton turnover. Now it was the Aviators’ chance to take the lead.
Diego Allen drew a foul and went to the line with the chance to give Alliance a chance to take the lead. However, Allen missed both free throws, and the ball went out of bounds off an Aviator to give Carrollton possession.
Lincoln Mallarnee drew a foul went to the line, sank a pair of huge free throws. These increased the Carrollton lead to 63-60.
Alliance looked to tie the score, but Brendan Zurbrugg missed a game-tying triple, and the Warriors secured the rebound. Jaxon Rinkes converted the game-clinching layup on a fast-break with :5.4 to play.
Carrollton (14-2 overall, 6-1 EBC) travels to Beaver Local on Tuesday, January 24th in nonconference action. They were led by junior guard Lincoln Mallarnee, who had 38 points on the evening. Senior guard Jaxon Rinkes had 14 to aid the winning effort.
Alliance (9-4 overall, 6-1 EBC) hosts Canton Central Catholic on Tuesday, January 24th in nonconference action. Senior forward Diego Allen had 22 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks. Freshman guard J.R. Jackson had 17 for the Aviators.
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