Photo via: @__kollin

By: Rece Allen, Sports Producer

On the second day of the HBCU All-Stars Challenge in Forbes Arena, the Shaw University Bears won over the LeMoyne-Owen College Magicians. The Bears’ dominant second half was the catalyst to the team’s victory, along with a highlight reel dunk to boost the team’s momentum. 

The Bears were coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Talladega College Tornadoes on day one of the HBCU All-Stars Challenge, losing 69-66. Head coach of the Bears, Bobby Collins, says the team was “right there to win, but just missed a layup and a couple of rebounds.” The Bears improved from yesterday’s loss, winning 74-48 over the Magicians. 

In the second half, the Bears outscored the Magicians 44-20, after only being up by two points at halftime. Early into the second half, the Bears guard, KJ West, drove to the baseline and flushed a monster dunk over a Magicians defender. The dunk from West caused the crowd to erupt and the game’s momentum shifted in the Bears favor. 

“I thought we were focused, especially in the second half we came with a little bit more energy after KJ drove baseline and got that dunk,” Coach Collins said in a post-game interview with the Maroon Tiger. “I thought our team fed off that. Based on that dunk we kind of went on and put them away.”

The Bears controlled the game in the second half by shooting 52% from the field in the half and holding the Magicians to shooting only 23%. The team’s bench players’ ability to produce and control the pace of the game through the pick-and-roll offense led to their success. Even when the team was leading by 20, the players were still playing hard and cheering on their teammates.

“We do a lot of team bonding to build team chemistry and camaraderie because we know that is important. These guys like each other and don’t mind getting on each other and that makes the difference between a winning and losing team.”  Coach Collins said.

The Bears finish the HBCU All-Star Challenge 1-1 and will continue their season on Dec. 5 where they will face the University of Mount Olive Trojans at Kornegay Arena.

Copy Edited by: Kobe Scales, Sports Editor