For the first time in 32 games, Poca (WV) came out on the short end of the scoreboard with a 73-56 loss to St. Francis (GA) in the opening round of the 35th Annual Beach Ball Classic.
St. Francis (8-3; Alpharetta, GA) found itself down 6-0 after a pair of quick 3-pount baskets by Poca’s Luke Frampton and Elijaf Cuffee. St. Francis responded by scoring the game’s next 22 points and built the lead to 35-12 on a Drew Smith 3-pointer with 3:55 to play in the opening half. Poca (4-1) went on a 16-1 run as Cuffee connected on three 3-point baskets during the stretch to close the gap to eight points at 36-28 with 44 seconds remaining in the half. Chance Anderson’s two free throws capped the scoring in the first half to give St. Francis a 38-28 lead entering the break.
Poca (WV) could not close the gap into single digits in the second half as St. Francis led by as many as 20 points in the second 16-minute period.
St. Francis was paced by Kobi Simmons’ 28 points. Cuffee led Poca with 23 points, while Luke Frampton added 17 points for The Dots.
