Eighth-graders fight back from 14-point deficit but fall in regional title game
GREENVILLE — The Jr. Vandals faced a 14-point deficit with 5:05 remaining Thursday's regional championship game, and though they cut that lead down to four points exactly four minutes later, there wasn't enough time to get the win.
Roxana used a balanced effort on offense and defense, and took advantage of some Vandalia mistakes to take a 42-37 win in the Class 3A regional finals at Greenville Junior High.
Curtis Gordon paced the Jr. Vandals (14-10) with 17 points and seven rebounds, Kelly Jones added six points and Richie Well had four steals and three assists.
The game was tied at 13 after the first quarter, and Vandalia was down just four at halftime.
Roxana (14-8) used an 8-0 run over the final 3:04 of the third period to take a 12-point lead, and though Vandalia's comeback was furious, the Jr. Vandals ran out of time, and Roxana made 5-of-8 free throws in the final quarter.
This is a breaking news update. More information will be available in the Feb. 7 edition of The Leader-Union.
Vandalia’s Curtis Gordon fights through the Roxana defense to score two of his 17 points in Thursday’s regional championship game at Greenville Junior High.
