Harrell scores 20; Early College holds on to defeat East

Jermer Murrell scored the game-winning basket with 27 seconds remaining as Early College fought off a late comeback to defeat East High, 70-68. Murrell  converted as Early College beat East with a long pass over full-court pressure. Murrell finished with 12 points for the game.  Early College started the game on a 9-0 run with seven coming from Jagdeep Drumgoole. East fought back with a full court 2-2-1 press to cut the deficit to six at the end of the first quarter. Early College extended the lead to 12 at the half behind nine of Bryan Harrell‘s team-high 21 and a crowd-sparking fast break dunk by Shandare Figgins. East fought back with an impressive second half led by Windell Lucas and Zion Morrison who had back-to-back 3-point plays to bring East within two. Morrison followed that up with a fast break lay in off a turnover to tie the game at 68 late in the fourth. Lucas and Morrison contributed 52 (Lucas – 23, Morrison – 29) out of East’s 68 points in the valiant comeback effort. Higgins finished with 11 points and six assists. Early College (1-1) hosts Monroe on Friday. East (3-2) travels to Edison Tech Friday night.