LAMPASAS — The Taylor Ducks varsity boys basketball team dropped its sixth consecutive game Wednesday, Jan. 28, falling 74-46 to the Lampasas Badgers.
Taylor struggled on the glass, getting outrebounded 48-27 as Lampasas capitalized on multiple secondchance opportunities.
The Ducks fell behind early before sophomore guard Braylon Strait knocked down a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 4-3. Strait finished third on the team in scoring with 11 points on 5-of-11 shooting.
Lampasas responded with an 11-2 run to take a 15-5 lead into the second quarter.
Sophomore guard Markell Fitzgerald provided a spark in the second quarter, hitting a 3-pointer to trim the lead to 25-12. Fitzgerald led the Ducks with 14 points on 6-of-17 shooting.
However, the Badgers seized control with a 19-0 run to build a commanding 44-12 advantage. Junior Landon Coulter beat the halftime buzzer with a halfcourt shot to make it 44-15 at the break.
Taylor struggled to find offensive rhythm, committing 24 turnovers and failing to attempt a free throw for the game.
Facing one of its largest halftime deficits of the season, Taylor opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer from senior guard Braylon Rivers and a fast-break layup from Strait, cutting the margin to 48-20.
Rivers finished second in scoring with 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Taylor shot 36% from the field, compared to Lampasas’ 44%.
The Ducks trailed 57-33 entering the fourth quarter and showed resilience late behind consistent scoring from Fitzgerald, Rivers and Strait, but the deficit proved too much to overcome.
Taylor fell to 1-6 in district play as its postseason hopes continue to fade. The Ducks faced Gateway Preparatory on Friday and will host Burnet on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m.
Photo by Larry Pelchat
