Acalanes JV Boys lost 59-57 to the Tamalpais Red-Tailed Hawks in a hard fought and exciting game Saturday in Lafayette.   It was the Dons big men that kept them in the game and then gave them a chance for a comeback win in the last minute.  Jaden McClane led the way for Acalanes with 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Joe Reidenbach scored 15 and pulled down 10 boards.

Acalanes started the game playing lock-down defense, and jumped out to a 13-7 lead after the first quarter.  But the Hawks got their transition game going and found their three point range in the second quarter, capitalizing on a 9-2 run to take a one point lead at half time, 28-27.

In the third quarter the Dons were at their best around the basket, with good interior passing and offensive rebounding.   McClane and Reidenbach’s moves around the rim forced the Tamalpais front court into foul trouble.  But the Hawks eventually wore down Acalanes in the fourth quarter, pushing their lead to 8 points before the Dons narrowed it to 5 points with a minute to go, thanks to a spark led by Liam Gallacher.

In that final minute Joe Reidenbach took over.  He scored an “and one” three point play to make it a 2 point game, and just moments later had the tying basket called off due to a called violation.    The Dons had one last chance to tie the game but their last second three point shot fell short. 

Ian Salmon, Liam Gallacher, and Cooper Edelman all had multiple baskets for the Dons, who fell to 1-2 on the season.