Before the season began, Troy Christian coach Ray Zawadzki knew that the challenges would be there in order to maintain the dominance that the Eagles had over the rest of the Metro Buckeye Conference. One of those teams mentioned was Yellow Springs, as the Bulldogs returned a lot of talent and would pose an immediate threat to the Eagles.

Last week, the Bulldogs came to Troy and ended the 42-game league winning streak of the Eagles, leading from start to finish as they knocked off Troy Christian 45-31 to run their record to 7-1 overall, 5-0 in the conference. With the loss, Troy Christian dropped to 4-2 overall, and for the first time since 2012, suffered a league loss.

“I am really proud of my kids, I thought they played really hard,” Zawadzki said. “We went the entire night and could not make a three-point shot, which ultimately hurt us because we had some really good looks, the ball just wouldn’t go in tonight.”

Yellow Springs started out to a quick 6-0 lead on a three and an ensuing old-fashioned three-point play, and increased their lead out to 8-1 before the Eagles could connect on their first field goal of the game with 2:45 left in the opening period from James Anderson.

The Eagles could only muster that one field goal in the first period, but free throws from Peyton Spurlock and Seth Wynne kept the Eagles close, trailing 10-6 after one.

The Bulldogs added to their lead early in the second, pushing it out to nine as the offense from both teams was quiet in the second quarter. With the Bulldogs leading 18-8, Luke Dillahunt hit a layup as did Wynne, keeping Troy Christian in the game. Both offenses failed to produce over the final 2:41 of the half, and the Bulldogs took a 19-12 lead into the break.

In the second half, Troy Christian cut the lead down to three points, but Yellow Springs answered with consecutive three’s to extend their lead out to nine.

“In the fourth quarter, we did a good job by not quitting and attacking their zone,” Zawadzki said. Once the Eagles cut the Bulldogs lead to three, Devon Perry hit consecutive three’s to give Yellow Springs the win.

“The kids are continuing to learn and grow, and we are getting better as a group. For as young as we are, we won’t be the same team in February as we are right now.”

Seth Wynne led Troy Christian with 10 points, the only player in double figures.

Troy Christian is back in action tonight in the final day of the Piqua tournament after playing in the opening round last night.