After a tight opening quarter, Jay M. Robinson’s marksmanship was, well, irrelevant. The Bulldogs missed their first four shots of the period, and that was compounded by a solid defense from Concord and a few unforced turnovers. During that same streak, Jay M. Robinson missed six of his 10 free throw attempts.
Johnakin Franklin (11) separates two Bulldog defenders.
Todd Maulden / Independent Tribune Special
Meanwhile, Jeremiah Howard came off the bench to score six points in a 16-3 Concord tear that ended with the Spiders holding their game’s biggest lead, 29-17, with 3 minutes and 40 seconds. to play in the first half.
Then the momentum – “Uncle Mo,” as Concord coach Barrett Krueger would later call him – began to turn in favor of the Bulldogs.
Jaylen Jackson (3) goes up for the two-point basket.
Todd Maulden / Independent Tribune Special
Jaylen Jackson scored 3 points to initiate a skyrocketing 11-4 that ended with Jay M. Robinson in front, 34-33, at halftime.
The Bulldogs opened the second half with a 14-4 flurry and continued to hold the Spiders (0-1) at bay the rest of the way, clinging to double-digit leads.
Junior Jermaine Gray scored six of his 17 points on the night in the crucial third quarter tear for the Bulldogs.
“We came out a bit slow, but we just picked it up and finished the game as a team,” said Gray, who shot well, scoring four three-pointers and his four free throws.
Jermaine Gray (22) scores from below for Jay M. Robinson.
Todd Maulden / Independent Tribune Special
“Personally, I just wanted to let the game come to me but just keep my teammates in it, keep them motivated and just get the dub.”