Lions' rally comes up short at No. 11 China Spring, 49-46

December 11, 2020 at 10:32 pm Derrick Stuckly

Zach Porter (10), pictured against San Angelo Lake View, was one of three Lions to finish in double figures against China Spring Friday, scoring 10 points. [File photo by Derrick Stuckly]

CHINA SPRING – Trailing by double digits late in the contest, the Brownwood Lions shaved the lead of No. 11 China Spring to one possession, but the Cougars held on for a 49-46 victory Friday night.

The loss snapped a three-game win streak for the Lions (3-4), while China Spring improved to 5-4 on the season.

“I was very proud of our guys tonight,” said Lions head coach Nadir Dalleh. “We were down 13 points late in the the game and fought back to have a chance to win. Eli Stephens is one of the best guards in the state with a DI scholarship. He scored 16 points in the first half and we dug in and held him to three points in the second half. I’m very proud of our kids for sure.”

Brownwood trailed 20-13 after one quarter, 34-24 at halftime, and 43-33 after three periods.

Bryson Monroe and Christian Kinzler paced the Brownwood attack with 14 points apiece, Zach Porter added 10, Jakob Hataway chipped in seven points, and Michael Felts finished with one point.

The Lions are back in action at 3:30 p.m. Saturday as they host Cisco.