Despite strong efforts from both teams, the ACGC chargers dropped both games of their doubleheader against the Earlham Cardinals Friday night in Guthrie Center. Momentum swings played a massive part in each game. Although the girls had a great start to each half, Earlham battled back in the second quarter and then took control in the fourth to pull away for a 52-40 win. Meanwhile, the boys fell behind big early, surrendering a 13-0 run to start the game. However, they found the momentum in the second quarter and battled all the way back to take a three-point lead at the half. Unfortunately for the Chargers, they could not sustain that level of production and Earlham took back the momentum and never let go. The Cardinals rode their solid their quarter effort to a 61-43 win.

GIRLS

Momentum swings were the name of the game. Unfortunately for the Charger, they could not real it back in when it mattered the most. Out of the gates the Chargers controlled the first quarter and had a 15-5 lead early in the second. Becca Littler hit two threes in the opening frame to lead ACGC with six points, and it seemed like the Chargers were in full control. However, for the remainder of the first half, Earlham not only recovered but punched back. Led by Kenna Harskamp, the Cardinals turned a 10-point deficit into a one-point deficit by the end of the half.

The second half started much the way the first half did. The Chargers came out and looked good while building a lead. With three minutes to go in the third the Chargers had an eight-point lead. However, they would be outscored 11-2 in those final three minutes and would not recover. The fourth saw the Chargers struggle on offense while Avrie Fagan and the Cardinals continued to put pressure on ACGC. Camdyn Richter had a solid fourth quarter adding six points to add to her team lead of 14 points. However, the Chargers, never found their way and fell to 9-3 on the season.

BOYS

The Chargers had a rough start to the game. Although they created some looks on offense, they were unable to get anything to fall. Meanwhile, the Cardinals got out to a 13-0 lead. Despite the poor start the Chargers didn’t quit, and a few points in the final two minutes gave ACGC some confidence heading into the second quarter. Like flipping a light switch, the Chargers exploded in the second quarter. Led by Joe Crawford (who had 11 of his team leading 16 points in the frame) ACGC outscored the Cardinals 19-8 to come all the way back to take a 24-21 lead courtesy of a Crawford three-pointer at the horn.

Unfortunately for Chargers, the wave of momentum would not carry over into the second half. Earlham came out of the gates hot, led by Brady Reynolds and by the end of the third quarter had built a sizable lead that turned out to be insurmountable. Although Earlham’s offense output was more consistent, it was their rebounding that made a massive difference throughout the course of the game. Numerous second and third chances that were earned on the offense glass gave them extra possessions to help turn the tide.

For ACGC they battled hard and have the talent but are a young team still trying to find their way. The Chargers fall to 3-8 on the year and will be back in action on Monday when they host CAM.