The opening tip went to the Dons but the game started with nerves high and tough defense by both teams. The defense on both sides of the court forced a lot of turnovers and three minutes passed before Clayton Valley put up first bucket.
The passing was a little loose and the Ugly Eagles went on a scoring drive pushing the lead to 9-2 with two minutes left in the period. The Dons ignited and fired back with Noah Bloch draining a 3 and Jack Bayless following with a quick 2 and at the end of the first period it was a tight game at 9-7.
As the second period got underway the Eagles started to open it, they hit some deep 3s and continued to play tight defense on the fighting Dons. Midway through the second period it was still close at 16-10, but as the Dons started edging into foul trouble the Eagles extended the lead. Continuing their panache for keeping things exciting, the Dons fed Noah for a deep 3 and the surge of energy caused the Eagles to turn it over with :35 left on the clock.
Theo Stoll drove it down, the Dons were showing great ball movement, leading to a highlight of the first half with a sweet put back tip in by Jake Davis to end half with Dons down 24-15.
The remarkable thing about these Dons is the character, excitement and energy they bring whenever they step on the court. As Clayton Valley pulled ahead, Acalanes continued to give it everything, showing how much passion the entire team possesses. The Eagles continued tough defense and started to drop some 3s. Jack had some signature under the hoop baskets, Jake had textbook clean shots from the free-throw line, but the highlight of the third was Justin Zegarowski as a beast on the offensive boards pulling down three straight boards silencing the otherwise enthusiastic home crowd.
The fourth period the Dons held strong. The variety of scoring came from Noah hitting another 3, Nathan Bennett with a sweet mid-range jumper and Brady Quinn with a couple pretty looking jumpers and by the end of the 4th the Dons won the quarter though ultimately falling to Clayton Valley 52-32.
