The Dons traveled out to Pleasant Hill to take on the College Park Falcons for the second league game. On paper the teams looked evenly matched, College Park coming into the game with a 9-4 record and the Dons coming in with a 9-5 record. Both teams showed some great spirit with full stands and feisty fans coming out for a late Monday evening game.

Whereas the defensive game got going from the opening tip on both sides of the court, the Dons and Falcons offense opened at a slower pace, with several minutes ticking off before College Park drove the middle to put up the first bucket. The Dons fans were cheering from the very beginning and when Theo Stoll passed to Zubin Acuna for a 3 pointer the fans were loving it.

The combo of tight defensive play and missed shots continued and the Dons were pulling down boards with Jake Davis, Justin Zegrowski and Ian Salmon all pulling down multiple boards in the first period. Theo hit a deep three all the way from Lafayette and then after a Justin rebound Theo did one of his signature threading the needle plays to the middle laying it in for 2.

With 3:16 left in the first period the Dons were up 8-2. College Park grabbed an offensive board and scored under the basket to close out the first period with the Dons up 8-4. Good movement but missed shots keeping it low scoring in first period.

College Park went on a run to open the 2nd period, rattling off seven points before Theo drove for a layup. There was some good D and Jake had a nice block and Colin Norstad came in off the bench and quickly pulled down a couple of offensive boards. Theo fed Brady Quinn for a fast break layup but the Falcons responded. With 3:06 left in the half the Dons were trailing 12-14.

College Park was working a full court press which caused some Dons turnovers. Theo again weaved through traffic to finger roll a layup and then hit a free-throw late in the half, but Dons went into the lockers at half-time down 15-19.

Although the energy had shifted to the home crowd by the end of the first half, the Dons players and fans were eager to show fighting spirit for the second half. The third period opened with CP hitting a free-throw but then Theo fed Jake underneath who had a 2 + 1 for a 3 point play and the visiting fans were on their feet.

Jake grabbed an offensive board and put it back in then on the other end he had a big block. Jack drew a charge, then he fed Zubin for a 3. Jake pulled down a board and with 5:13 left in the third period things got spicy. The home crowd was starting to get edgy as the momentum was shifting back in the Dons favor.

The third period was about pulling down rebounds and hitting 3s. Ian, Jake and Theo all had multiple boards, Zubin hit a 3 on an assist from Jack, Jake hit a 3 on a pass from Theo, CP responded with a 3 of their own but then Theo drove hard underneath for a layup.

Showing selfless play as the Dons are want to do, Theo fed Jake for a corner 3 and the Dons were edging back. The Falcons flew some 3s of their own but when Jake had a monster block it was clear the tide had changed. Although it seemed one of Theo’s threading the needle through multiple defenders plays would be a highlight, his dancing and shuffling and hitting a deep 3 over his defender to beat the 3rd period buzzer was one of the prettiest plays of the game.

The Dons won the 3rd period going into the 4th up by two with a score of 37-35.

Clearly the coaching staffs for both teams were busy during the halftime break as Dons and Falcons had a bit more pep in the second half. The fourth period got going with Theo drawing a hard fouls, Ian, Jake, Theo and Justin all grabbing boards and the team playing tight defense to hold onto their lead.

Ultimately the fourth came down to strong defense and consistently hitting free-throws down the stretch, but there was some fun offense along the way. Jake had hit a couple of FTs, then Theo had a hang time spin move feeding a pass to Justin underneath for an easy 2. With 3:51 left in the game the Dons held back the Falcons and extended their lead to 42-35.

Theo then fed Zubin for a deep 3 from the top of the key, Jake had another big block and a steal and then Ian fed to Justin who hit a 3 as the shot clock was winding down and the Dons were rolling. College Park answered with a three of their own, but with only 2:20 left in the game the Dons were up by ten, leading 48-38.

The final two minutes seemed to move at a snail’s pace, but it gave the Dons a great opportunity to show off their poise and composure. The Falcons started playing the fouling game, and the Dons were eager to oblige. Justin went to the line and hit two, Theo went to the line twice and hit all four of his FTs, Jake went to the line and hit two. College Park kept fighting, but the Dons defense and clutch shooting ended with a strong 56-47 victory.

The Dons are looking for another road victory, heading out to Clayton Valley for a 7pm Friday night game. It’s a perfect Friday night activity, come out and bring your Dons blue!