#21 Kyle Rutledge

The Clark Cougars passed another important district test in defeating the Stevens Falcons 60-55 at Paul Taylor.  Ranked in the top ten in San Antonio early in the season, Stevens  gave the Cougars all they wanted and then some.

Both teams came out of the gate early, tied 18-18 at the end of the 1st qtr.  Sloppy play by both teams, resulting in turnovers and missed buckets, defined the 2nd qtr.  Clark could only put 8 more points on the board while the Falcons could only add 6 giving Clark a 26-24 advantage going into the half.

What must have been a motivating halftime speech by Clark Head Coach Steve Slyestine resulted in a more intense Clark team on the court in the 3rd qtr.  Jacob Palacios started the 2nd half with a LONG 3-pointer.  With just over two minutes off the clock, the Cougars jumped to their largest lead of the game when Adam Perez sent 3 of his 11 points through the net giving Clark a 36-28 lead. A 6 point run by the Falcons tightened the game to 40-39. Ansley Benjamin made it 46-41 after Jacob Palacios stole a Stevens inbound pass and the 3rd qtr. ended with Clark up 47-43.

Stevens started the 4th qtr. with a 10-4 run and tied it all up at 53-53 at the 4:00 minute mark.  It would stay that way until there was a minute and a half left in the game and Adam Perez sunk both ends of a one-and-one.  Stevens came right back to make it 55-55.  Ansley Benjamin next hit the first of his one-and-one but missed the second.  Kyle Rutledge grabbed the rebound, however, and found Jacob Palacios at the top of the key for a three to seal the victory with :30 seconds left in the game.

The boys now own a 7 game win streak.  Following the boys game, the girls varsity lost to Stevens, giving the Lady Cougars a 2-4 record in district.