Warhawks Can't Overcome First-Half Deficit at Lawson State

Birmingham, AL – Calhoun men's basketball could not overcome a difficult first-half stretch Thursday night, falling 99-87 to Lawson State on the road in conference play.

The game opened at a blistering pace, with both teams finding offensive rhythm early. Calhoun and Lawson State traded baskets throughout the opening minutes, and neither side was able to create meaningful separation. For the first 10 minutes, the contest remained tightly contested, with the lead never growing beyond four points for either team.

Following the under-12 media timeout, the momentum shifted sharply in favor of the Cougars. The Warhawks suddenly went cold offensively, entering a prolonged scoring drought that lasted nearly six minutes. During that stretch, Calhoun struggled to find quality looks and could not convert when opportunities presented themselves.

On the other end, Lawson State caught fire. The Cougars capitalized on Calhoun's offensive struggles by pushing the pace and knocking down shots from the perimeter. Lawson State connected on eight three-pointers in the first half alone, rapidly building a double-digit advantage.

By the time Calhoun was able to regain their footing offensively, the damage had been done. The Cougars had built a commanding lead, and the Warhawks entered the halftime break facing a 20-point deficit.

Despite the uphill climb, Calhoun showed fight in the second half. The Warhawks increased their defensive intensity and found more consistency on offense, generating scoring opportunities both in the paint and in transition. Calhoun was able to chip away at portions of the deficit and matched Lawson State's scoring output for much of the half.

However, the early hole proved too large to overcome. Each time the Warhawks made a push, the Cougars answered with timely baskets to maintain control. Calhoun's second-half effort was strong, but the deficit from the opening half remained the deciding factor in the 99-87 final.

Johnathan Johnson led the Warhawks with a dominant performance, finishing with 22 points and 12 rebounds to record a double-double. Masiah Robinson also provided a key offensive boost, adding 14 points for Calhoun.

Head coach Derrick Powell said the game highlighted the importance of putting together a complete performance from start to finish. "We know we're capable of bringing great energy and execution in the second half, but we can't afford to put ourselves in a 20-point hole early," Powell said. "We've got to do a much better job in the first 20 minutes, especially on the defensive end. That's something we'll focus on cleaning up as we prepare for next week."

Calhoun (16-12, 6-6) will look to bounce back Monday, March 2, when the Warhawks travel to face Wallace State (14-14, 6-6) at 7:30 p.m.