Bulldawgs suffer 8th-consecutive loss against Ellison

By TJ MAXWELL 
Cove Leader-Press

A strong start wasn’t enough for the Copperas Cove Bulldawgs to hold off the no. 25 Ellison Eagles Friday night at Bulldawg Gymnasium.
Despite jumping out to a 9-2 lead in the first four minutes of action and holding a 15-11 lead after one quarter of action, the Copperas Cove Bulldawgs saw their lead evaporate as Ellison senior Casey Armour filled up the stat box.
A three-pointer by senior Neyland Block along with drives by Block and senior Jyhlil Rice helped the Bulldawgs take a 9-2 lead against the Eagles and a late three-pointer by Rice helped Cove hold onto that lead, 15-11, after eight minutes of action. 
A three-pointer early in the second frame by senior Justus Honea briefly held off an Ellison rally for an 18-13 lead. 
The Eagles, however, responded with a 15-3 run to close the half with a 28-21 lead; one they would not relinquish for the next 24 minutes of action.
A pair of free throws by senior D’Marcus Leach and a putback by senior Avantae Bell pulled Ellison within one, 18-17, before a pair of free throws and a traditional three-point play by Armour put Ellison on top for good. 
A three-pointer by Cove’s Honea, along with a pair of free throws by Ellison junior Amir Davis and a bucket by Armour, closed out the half, 28-21.
Three-pointers by Block and Honea appeared to make it a three-point contest but an inadvertent whistle caused the Honea three to be taken off the board.
Ellison took advantage to push their lead to 11 with 12-consecutive points by Armour that made it a 42-33 Ellison lead with 2:06 left in the quarter.
Cove junior Tyrese Taylor scored three consecutive baskets and junior Quinton Ford hit a three-pointer to pull Cove within two scores, 37-34, in the middle of the Armour showcase.
Block then brought Cove back within six, 42-36, with a three-pointer.
Baskets by seniors Sha’Mon Walker and Kadarius Green and a free throw by senior Elijah Maleon helped Ellison grow their lead to 10 and the end of three quarters.
A pair of free throws by Rice and a reverse layup by Taylor pulled Cove back within six, 47-41.
Cove kept the game close with free throws by Ford and a driving basket by senior Tyrese Cooley but the Eagles had an answer to each Cove rally.
An offensive rebound by senior Daveon Thomas and 1 for 2 free throws brough Cove back within two scores, 60-56, but the Eagles closed the contest from the charity stripe with 6 for 8 free throws by Armour and Davis for the 66-60 win.
Block led Cove with 14 points, six rebounds and three assists. Ford added nine points as did Honea while Cooley added eight points and Rice had nine. 
Armour led Ellison with 31 points and seven rebounds. 
The Dawgs return to action tonight at home against Shoemaker.