Buffs fall in battle with Holland Hall

Feb. 9—The Buffs never quit fighting.

McAlester hosted Holland Hall Friday inside the McAlester Activity Center, where the Buffaloes battled but fell 75-35 to the Dutch.

Holland Hall blasted out of the gate with an early 7-0 run, but that was ended by a hard-earned score by De'Veion Bickham to put the Buffs on the board. Bickham would later add another score, but the Dutch responded with another run to lead 20-4 after the opening quarter.

In the second period, McAlester added to its end of the scoreboard with buckets from DaVantrae McKendrick, Davien Pouncil, and Brandon Smith — but the Dutch had an answer, taking a 45-12 lead at the halftime break.

The Buffs kept working, earning multiple triples from Smith and Bickham to cut into the deficit. Holland Hall answered, taking a 69-29 lead into the final quarter.

Both teams fought to the finish, but it'd be the Dutch sealing away the win.

Bickham led the Buffs with 12 points, followed by Smith with eight points, Pouncil with five points, Kayden Harris with four points, and McKendrick, Jake Monroe, and Jaxen Duff with two points each.

Next up for McAlester, the Buffs will travel to Sapulpa Saturday before returning to the MAC Tuesday for Senior Night against Coweta.