Warriors Wear Down Falcons

The Nelson Warriors' Men's Basketball team (6-3) shook off a rugged first half and a rash of injuries to pull away for a convincing 81-60 victory over the California Intercontinental University Falcons, continuing their defense of their NCCAA National Championship.

"We hate losing. I think we hate losing more than we enjoy winning," noted head coach Kole Ebert following his team's victory. "This group wants to win, and they work hard every day with a desire to never lose. We didn't play perfectly, so I know the guys can't wait to get back to work and improve in the places of our game that we know we need to....It's good to snap a losing streak quickly and get back to winning the way we know we can."

With veterans Terrin Ross and Orlando Gonzales both sidelined due to injury, the first half was a chaotic, turnover-filled affair. Nelson coughed the ball up 12 times in the first 20 minutes, leading directly to 14 Falcon points, while the pace regularly pushed into total frantic.

Enter Keron Bailey off the bench. Providing an immediate jolt, the first-year Warrior played to his team's namesake well, pouring in 11 points, snagging a half-high-tying 7 rebounds, and dishing 2 assists before he, too, unfortunately went down with an injury, forcing him out for the second half.

Despite the setbacks, the Nelson men played with the ultimate Warrior spirit, flipping the script after the halftime break holding CIU to a meager 25 points over the final 20 minutes. Locking in, Nelson turned the tables on turnovers (forcing 15 while committing only 8), wearing the Falcons down with a suffocating and unrelenting defensive pressure. A decisive 27-10 run over the first 11 minutes of the second half blew the game open, as the Warriors turned a meager halftime lead into a deceive and comfortable lead.

Offensively, Chase Pavey delivered the dagger. After starting 0-for-7 from three, he found his stroke in the second half, draining 5-of-9 from deep over the final 20 minutes to finish tied with Wyatt Mackay for game-high honors at 17 points. Calvin Windley nearly missed a triple-double, with 10 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, while defensively adding in game highs of 5 steals, and 3 blocks each.

Alan Duarte led the Falcons with 14 points, while Noah Smith Jr. finished with 12.

Up next for the Warriors is home against rival Ottawa on Saturday, November 29, at 7 pm.

Do not forget to follow Nelson Athletics on X at @NelsonWarriors and Instagram at @nelsonwarriors.athletics.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!