Falcons survive late Shamrock run
Story and Photos by Michael Orr

A.C. Flora's Dominique Hollins puts up a shot against three Eau Claire defenders including #11 Louis Woods.

A.C. Flora, led by Dominique Hollins' 20 points, survived a late Eau Claire comeback to win 60- 55 January 22. Clutch free throws by Flora's Khvan Pennix helped the Falcons as the Shamrocks made up an eight point deficit in the game's final 90 seconds.

Eau Claire started the game looking solely for long- range shots against the Flora one- three- one zone. In the first quarter, the Shamrocks simply could not connect despite several open attempts. The suffocating zone of the Falcons frustrated the guard- heavy Shamrock lineup and neutralized Eau Claire's usual scrappiness. Meanwhile, Pennix scored five points inside after offensive rebounds and the Falcons jumped out to a 15- 5 first quarter lead.

Changing strategies after the poor first quarter, Eau Claire employed a tough two- two- one zone press. The press forced the Falcons to concentrate on just getting the ball down court and resulted in several steals and fast break lay ups for the reenergized Shamrocks. Eau Claire's Stanley Young added seven points in the quarter, finally finding his scoring touch, and connecting on the Shamrocks' first three- pointer. But foul trouble would send Young to the bench after picking up his third foul with just ten seconds left in the half. The Falcons led at the break 25- 20.

Tennessee Volunteer head football coach Phillip Fulmer caught some of the game after a visit with Falcon stand- out O- lineman Kenneth Page.

In the third quarter, A.C. Flora mixed their defenses to confuse the Shamrocks, switching to a rare man- to- man followed by different zone looks. To match up well with Eau Claire's small lineup, the Falcons' guard play was important and Hollins and Lamont Todd took over the third quarter accordingly. Combining to score 13 of the team's 15 in the quarter, the backcourt duo was able to score on jump shots and by getting to the free throw line. Only in the quarter's final minute did Eau Claire's Young reenter the game, immediately making a three- pointer to bring the score to 40- 35 after three.

With Eau Claire charging to catch up, Hollins connected on an important three- point play to spark nine unanswered points by the Falcons. With a comfortable 11 point lead, Flora tried to run out the clock in the game's waning minutes. But the Shamrocks would not go down easily, forcing three consecutive three- point plays to draw within two points with 56 seconds to play. But Hollins and Pennix made free throws to counter the Shamrocks' final shots and the Falcons were able to survive, 60- 55.

Hollins paced the Falcons with 20 points, leading three players scoring in double figures. Young's 18 led the Shamrocks. Eau Claire travels to Chester on January 25 while A.C. Flora will host Fairfield Central.