3 takeaways from Cordova’s win over Bolivar

<p><span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Cordova opened up its 6</span><sup style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">th</sup><span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> Annual Renée Scales Lupus Foundation Classic Friday night with the 71-61 win over Bolivar.</span></p> <p>The Wolfpack are now 5-2 but didn’t play their best against the Tigers, who fought from start to finish.</p> <p>Cordova had to overcome early foul trouble in the first half and stop an 11-0 run by Bolivar to finish the game after being up 15 points at the top of the fourth quarter.</p> <p>Despite the win, Wolfpack head coach Terrance Scales spent over 30 minutes talking to the team in the locker room. Hopefully, Cordova plays better next Monday night when its hosts Raleigh-Egypt.</p> <p>But for right now, let’s take a dive into the Wolfpack’s win over the Tigers:</p> <p><strong>Justin Borders is key for Cordova at point guard</strong></p> <p>The senior point guard has been playing sick for the past two games but he’s been clutch for the Wolfpack. Against ECS Tuesday night, Borders nailed the game-winning 3-point play for the victory. Friday night against Bolivar, Borders broke down presses and knocked down floaters in the lane. Most importantly, he iced the game from the free throw line. Borders made 7 of 8 foul shots in the final two minutes. He made 13 of 16 overall. Borders led the team in scoring with 21.</p> <p>Borders had help from his teammates on the offensive end. Senior guard <b>K’Juan</b> <b>Banks</b> had 16, <b>Calvin</b> <b>Jennings</b> 14 and <b>Markelion</b> <b>Hines</b> 10.</p> <p><strong>Offensive miscues</strong></p> <p>Cordova once had a 58-43 lead at the top of the fourth quarter, and it seemed like the game was in the bag, but the Tigers went on an 11-0 run to get within four. The Wolfpack didn’t take care of the basketball and missed scoring opportunities at the rim. As of result, Bolivar’s guards scored off those miscues. <b>Toris</b> <b>Woods</b> and <b>Jeff</b> <b>Norment</b> led the comeback.</p> <p>Cordova is fortunate that senior guard K’Juan Banks stopped the bleeding by scoring five straight points and Borders was money from the free throw line down the stretch. Also, Woods fouled out late in the game, so that worked in the Wolfpack’s favor. Woods finished with 21, and Norment added 13.</p> <p>The Wolfpack will need to work on maintaining a double-digit lead at home.</p> <p><strong>Foul trouble</strong></p> <p>Early on, Cordova couldn’t get into rhythm offensively because of foul trouble. Junior guard Calvin Jennings had three fouls before halftime. Junior guard <b>RJ</b> <b>Seals</b> picked up two fouls in the first 30 seconds of the game. Junior wing <b>Jordan</b> <b>Hamilton</b> had two fouls in the first half. Coach Scales had to sit three important players and look for production from his bench.</p> <p>The Wolfpack was able to get some contributions from Dwight DeBerry. He scored five points off the bench and helped the team take a 37-36 lead into halftime.</p>