The casual observer who sees the final score between Eastern Wayne and New Bern would think the Bears had an easy time Thursday evening against the Warriors.
That’s not the case.
This one was close until the fourth quarter.
Eastern Wayne extended its pressure defense to full court and capitalized on unforced errors, but the Warriors lost to the Bears 70-53 in Eastern Carolina 3A/4A action.
Senior guard Zay Hardy poured in a team-high 17 points. J.J. Murray and Canaan Tyson provided 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Warriors seized a 17-16 lead after the opening quarter, but in the second quarter, the Warriors had trouble stopping William Brimmer, who scored nine of his 15 points in the second quarter.
Brimmer’s scoring helped push New Bern ahead 35-29 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Eastern Wayne amped up its intensity and stayed within striking distance, but the Warriors could not take back the lead.
New Bern held a 51-45 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Albert Brown hit a jumper that trimmed the Bear’s lead down to 51-49 early in the fourth quarter, but New Bern used a 19-4 run to seal the win.
Eastern Wayne (1-2 overall) next faces J.H. Rose (1-2) on Tuesday.
