Christian lifts the Patriots
Published 9:52 pm Thursday, January 17, 2019
Javon Christian sunk a game-winning free throw with no time remaining to hand the Pike Liberal Arts Patriots a 32-31 win over Macon-East on Thursday night in Montgomery.
The win for the Patriots improves their overall record to 12-5.
The Patriots were held to just six fourth-quarter points, but it was all they needed to secure a win on Thursday.
The Patriots didn’t have a player in score in double figures in the win. They were led by Nick O’Brien and Christian, who finished with nine points apiece. Jade Sikes finished with seven points and Drew Nelson had five.
O’Brien got the Patriots started in the first quarter when he knocked down a pair of three-pointers. The Knights outscored the Patriots in the opening quarter, however, and took an 11-8 lead into the second.
Both team’s defenses led the way in the second quarter. Each team scored just three points. Christian knocked down a shot and a free throw. The Patriots went into halftime trailing 14-11.
Christian and the Patriots got their offense going in the second half. Christian scored five points in the third and along with five more from Sikes, the Patriots went into the final quarter leading 26-20.
The Patriots were outscored in the final quarter, but hung on to win when Christian knocked down the game-winning free throw with no time remaining.
The Patriots will be back in action today when they host Hooper Academy.