This was going to be a tough one as the oddsmakers had the Dons coming in as significant underdogs to the reigning California Division II Champions.  Both teams started slow but Clayton Valley took an early 14-5 lead at the end of the first quarter as the Dons went 2/9 from the field and turned the ball over 7 times.  The Ugly Eagles were able to extend the lead in the second quarter behind 16 points in the paint and were up 33-12 at the half.  Maddox Malm had 4 points while Cameron Hood and Jordan Brown each had 3. 

The Dons came alive offensively in the third whittling the lead down to 14 points with just a minute to go!  Gavin Dodge started us off with a bucket on the first possession, Liam Krackeler scored 8 points during the run with two three’s, while Maddox and Cameron also added triples and every hoop was assisted by another teammate.  But from there the Ugly Eagles put the Dons in a sleeper hold utilizing a 20-2 run over the next 5 minutes to put the game out of reach.  Cameron had another late scoring outburst for the second game in a row adding 8 to his team high 14 points in the final minutes.  The Dons may have covered the spread but lost the game with a 69-47 final.

Acalanes shot 40% from the field on 10/24 from 2FG (49%), 8/21 from deep (38%) and 3/5 from the line (60%).  Clayton shot 47% on 23/38 from 2FG (61%), 5/22 from deep (23%) and 8/12 from the line (67%).  Big story was points in the paint where Clayton had a 44-14 advantage with 21 layups to our 6.  Dons lost the rebound battle 37-24 and turned the ball over 20 times to Clayton’s 12.

Cameron led the way again with 14 points on 5/9 FG, 4/8 3FG, plus team highs 3 assists and 2 steals in 20 minutes.  Liam had 8 points on 3/6 FG, 2/3 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block in 20 minutes.  Maddox had 7 points on 3/7 FG, 1/3 3FG, plus team highs of 5 rebounds and 2 blocks in 18 minutes.  Of the players with 10+ minutes, Maddox (-6) and Ian Salmon (-7) were the best plus/minus ratings.  James Moore had 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and Elijah Perryman had 18 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and was a staggering +38.

Next up for the Dons, the first game of a three game road trip across the bridge to face Benicia (10-4, 3-0 in League) who knocked the Dons out in the first round of the NCS Playoffs last season.  Tipoff is at 6pm.

Livestream all Home Games at: https://www.youtube.com/@acalaneshubergym1200

MaxPreps for stats, highlights and more: Click Here

Also follow the Dons on Twitter/X for in-game updates and more: @ACABoysBball