Big Victory

The first Bank of Corbin Classic turned out to be a real winner as the Corbin Redhounds hosted the Paul Lawrence Dunbar Bulldogs of Lexington. Trailing by as many as 14 points in the third quarter, the Redhounds caught fire and went on a 41-22 run in the final 11 minutes of the game to pull out a 74-69 victory.
The free throw line was kind to the Redhounds as the host connected on 19 of 27 from the line while the Bulldogs hit just three of five attempts.
Both teams also shot extremely well from the field. Corbin connected on 24 of 45 for 53 percent while Dawgs hit on 30 of 54 for 55 percent. The Redhounds won the battle of the boards 21-19, most of which came in the second half.
Give credit to seniors Jordan Noble and Andrew Parks for providing the leadership and scoring 54 of the 74 points in the Redhounds’ fifth win in a row. The Redhounds are 7-1 since the Christmas break.
Corbin (11-7) gave Dunbar notice in the first quarter that they were more than ready for the bigger Lexington team, but it was the Bulldogs who eased out to a 18-17 lead behind Dustin Fox’s nine first quarter points.
A balance effort by Noble, Parks, Josh Hamlin and Ryan Tate kept the Redhounds close.
However, Corbin went in a tailspin in the second period, hitting just four of 11 from the field, zero for two from outside the arc and turning the ball over four times. Dunbar took advantage of the situation and knocked down three of five from long range, 7 of 12 from the field and only committed two turnovers in taking a 35-25 lead at the half.
The Bulldogs would build a 47-33 lead on back to back baskets by Jesse Moton and Andre Tunstill with approximately three minutes to go in the game.
Enough is enough decided Redhound coach Tony Pietrowski. He made a few changes during a timeout and the Redhounds responded, outscoring the Bulldogs 13-0 and closing the gap to 47-46 by the start of the fourth quarter.
Parks, the game’s MVP, ignited the rally with three of the first four baskets. Noble was able to sandwich in a hoop as well.
A pair of free throws by Josh Crawford with 17 seconds left and a three point play by Josh Ware with less than a second left got Corbin within a point.
That set the stage for an even more exciting fourth quarter. Corbin continued its run with four more points and a 51-47 lead before Dunbar’s Tuntsill hit a basket after the Redhounds 17th point in a row.
Dunbar came back to tie the game at 66-66, but the Bulldogs would never regain the lead.
Corbin enjoyed a seven point lead (61-54) after Noble hit a three pointer then countered with two free throws. The Redhounds led 65-58 when Ed Oakley called a time-out. His team answered the challenge and fought back, outscoring Corbin 8-1 and tied the game on a Moton basket with :51 remaining.
Noble pushed the Redhounds back on top 68-66 with a pair of free throws then the next trip down the court Dunbar’s Tunstill was called for a charge. The Dawgs fouled Brad Lawson and sent the senior to the line. Before he shot his two free throws, Epps was called for a technical with :18 left in the game. Lawson hit his two free throws then Noble added the pair for the “T” and Corbin led 72-66. Noble was fouled after Corbin got the ball in-play and connected on both shots for the final margin.

Dunbar 18 17 12 22- 69
Corbin 17 8 21 28- 74
Dunbar (69) – Moton 18, Jones 1, Epps 10, Tunstill 16, Tonnsan 7, Fox 17.
Corbin (74) – Tate 2, Noble 28, Dixon 5, Parks 26, Lawson 2, Crawford 5, Hamlin 3, Ware 3.