CULLMAN – It was a tough night on the hardwood for the Cullman Bearcats and Lady Bearcats as Brewer came calling and left with wins in both the boys’ and girls’ contests.
Brewer 53, Cullman 24
From the opening tip, Brewer (5-2) controlled the pace of the game against the Cullman Bearcats (4-5). Baxley Collins hit the game’s first shot, a three from the right wing, setting the Patriots up for an 8-0 run before Cooper Beck hit a three to put Cullman on the board. Brewer missed their next shot but Patriot Dakota Bennett skied over everyone else on the floor for a put back dunk that ignited the Patriots fans and started a 6-0 run that lasted the rest of the quarter to give the Patriots a 14-3 lead after one.
Brewer pushed their lead to 16 to open the second quarter but Cullman quickly closed the gap with a three by Noah Bussman, a bucket in the paint by Beck and a free throw from Dylan Finch. Brewer came back with nine unanswered points. The action went back and forth for the remainder of the half with Brewer adding a pair of points to their lead and taking a 30-17 advantage to the half.
Cullman started the third with a chance to cut into the lead at the free throw line but could not convert. Brewer took advantage, going on to score 12 in the quarter while keeping the Bearcats off the board.
Will Franey started the fourth for Cullman with a free throw. Brewer answered with six straight points, pushing the lead to 30 and starting the hot clock. Cullman had no quit in them and played hard from the opening tip to the final buzzer but could not overcome the scoreless third as they fell to 4-6 in regular season play. Cullman will be back in action Tuesday at Boaz (1-5) versus the Pirates.
Brewer 62, Cullman 43 (Girls)
Cullman (3-3) looked impressive to start the fourth quarter in their matchup versus the Lady Patriots of Brewer (5-1), taking an early 13-4 advantage on the strength of a 9-0 run midway through the first quarter and maintaining their advantage, 17-9, after one.
Shyan Flack and McCarley Northway were the difference makers in the second for Brewer with the duo combining for all 15 of the Lady Patriots’ points in the quarter, giving Brewer the 24-21 lead going into the locker room at the half.
Brewer continued to apply pressure to start the third and spread the wealth, as eight different Lady Patriots contributed points to up the lead to 18, 46-28, at the end of three.
Cullman had strong performances from Anna Bowden, Sierra Easterwood, Victoria Barker and Anna Katherine Eastman, who all had points in the fourth, but Brewer hung on for the 62-43 victory. The loss dropped the Lady Cats to 3-4 as the get ready to take on the Lady Pirates of Boaz (3-5) Tuesday night.
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