Edgren Eagles outsoar St. Paul Warriors, 83-69

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jeff M. Nagan
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  In game three of the Far East Basketball Tournament, the undefeated Edgren Eagles overtook the St. Paul Warriors, 83-69, Feb. 18 at the high school gym.

Leading the Eagles in the win over the Warriors was forward Mert Baysal, who scored 21 points which included one three-point play. Baysal, an Edgren junior, would've continued his drive, but he fouled out early in the fourth quarter. Eagles forward Gerald Atkins, an Edgren senior, was close behind the leader, adding 20 points to the scoreboard, which included many from the line.

"We started kind of slow, but as the game went on, we executed our defense," said Baysal. "The turning point was when our defense stepped up and got us turnovers. We like to play fast paced. When we get those steals, we go up the court."

Francis Imbo, of the Warriors, led his team with 18 points, while Andrew Snyder, the team center, drove in for 17 points, with most coming from inside the paint.

"It was a good game on both sides," said Edgren head coach Mark Williams. "Their team really put a lot of pressure on our guards up-top and gave us a hard time the whole game. We just happened to capitalize on some turnovers they made. We had a limited amount of turnovers and that was the impression of the game. "

With this win, the Edgren Eagles advance to the Far East Tournament semi-finals where they will face the Morrison Mustangs, Feb. 19.

The Far East Basketball Tournament draws in teams from around the Pacific, which includes private and Department of Defense Dependant schools from Japan, Korea, Guam and Taiwan.