Mamou falls to Eunice in season basketball opener

EUNICE -- Coming into the 2015-2016 basketball season, the main goal for the Mamou Demons was to get back into the playoffs; something they have not done in the last five years.
In order to do that, the Demons would need to get off to a good start to begin this year’s campaign.
Mamou started that campaign Monday night as they traveled to Eunice to take on the Bobcats for the opening game of the season.
Unfortunately for Mamou, Eunice erased a six-point half time deficit to defeat the Demons 62-58 in the first regular season contest.
Mamou looked as if they were ready to take on all comers this season, as they jumped out to an 11-4 lead half way through the first quarter. Leading the surge for the Demons was Russell Edwards. The junior center collected four of Mamou’s first seven points.
With the Bobcats playing man-to-man, Mamou continued to pour it inside to Edwards. However, the Demon offense began to turn the ball over and Eunice took advantage.
The Bobcats roared back to cut the lead to 13-11 as the first quarter buzzer sounded.
Eunice tied the game with an early bucket to open the second quarter. Neither squad could get much going offensively.
Mamou began to press Eunice midway through the quarter resulting in two quick turnovers and two quick buckets. With 4:23 left in the quarter, Mamou held a 19-15 lead.
The teams traded baskets until the final minute of the first half. Mamou got a 3-point bucket from Lil Paul Williams and a layup from JaQuaylon Arvie to extend the Demon lead to 28-22 as the second quarter buzzer sounded.
Sloppy play and foul trouble for Edwards dominated the third quarter. Both teams turned the ball over numerous times in the period. Eunice took the lead for good at the 3:50 mark on a three point basket, making the score 33-32 Bobcats.
Eunice continued to put pressure on Mamou, causing the Demons to turn the ball over twice in a row, resulting in three point plays that upped the Bobcat lead to 39-34 with 3:12 left in the quarter. Edwards picked up his fourth foul at the 1:44 mark.
With 13 seconds left in the third quarter, Eunice made two free throws to extend their lead to 48-40; which remained the score as the horn sounded.
The defensive pressure from the Bobcats continued to cause problems for the Demons. Eunice opened a ten point lead, 57-47 with 4:37 left in the game. However, Mamou did not go away easily.
The Demons began to up the intensity on defense and was able to cut the Bobcat lead to 2 with 59 seconds on two consecutive three-pointers by Williams. Still, it was too little too late, as Mamou could not sustain the comeback giving
Eunice the four point win. Williams and Edwards both chipped in 16 points to lead the Demons in scoring. Luke Thomas added 10 points in the loss.
Mamou (0-1) will take on Port Barre in their home opener today.
Game time is scheduled for 7:30.