McEachern Remains Perfect with 6-0 Start, Defeats Lithonia 56-44

On Saturday night, the McEachern Indians faced the Lithonia Bulldogs in the final game of the 2016 Southeast Basketball Academy. The Indians came into the night’s match-up with a 5-0 record and looked to remain perfect, while the Bulldogs at 4-5 were hoping to rebound from their 65-53 loss to Arabia Mountain on Friday night. After the tip, McEaachern jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead after connecting from deep with two 3 point baskets. Lithonia would eventually get on the board making it a 6-2 game early but McEachern, led by Jr. #14 Brandon Suggs and So. #35 Isaac Okoro would hold onto a comfortable lead throughout the first period of the game.

In the second quarter, the Indians would continue to lead the Bulldogs as they would receive some major contribution from Sr. captain #5 Tre Peoples to help McEachern build a twelve point lead as the Indians went up 24-12 with :40 left in the first half. As the third quarter got underway, McEachern would continue to build their lead, going up 30-17 by the 5:00 mark of the period. Lithonia would manage to close the gap to a six point lead for McEachern, however the Indians would increase their lead by eleven points and go on to close out the quarter with a 45-31 lead as Suggs had two big put back baskets late in the period. In the final period of the game, Suggs and Okoro would continue to help the Indians maintain their lead, which they never relinquished throughout the game, and help McEachern improve to 6-0 as they defeated the Bulldogs 56-44.

Okoro would finish the game with 17 points and win the game’s MVP honors, while Suggs would add 16 points. Other notable play for the Indians came from 6’8” So. #11 Babatunde Akingbola who had 10 blocked shots on the night. Up next for McEachern is Monroe out of Albany, Georgia on Thursday while Lithonia will look to end their two game skid when they face Morrow in the Peach State Classic on Wednesday.