Paul Robeson got a big second half from Senior Keith Swinton and Junior Aquarn Butler, defeating Eagle Academy 54-44 in a PSAL AA boys basketball match-up at the Brooklyn Bridge Holiday Classic on Saturday. Trailing 27-26 at the half, Robeson tied the score at 29 on Butler's corner 3-pointer with 5:30 to play in the third and took a 31-29 lead on Justin Figueroa's driving score at the 3:35 mark. Demarley Smith's 3-pointer on the next possession gave Eagle Academy a 32-31 lead, but Robeson would close the quarter on a 5-1 run, coming on a floater by Butler and a driving 3-point play by Swinton, giving Robeson a 36-32 lead heading in the fourth.
Eagle Academy trimmed the lead to 36-35 early in the final quarter, but Robeson answered with a 7-0 run, capped by a Swinton steal and 3-point play, giving Robeson a 43-35 lead with 5:30 left. Eagle Academy fought back, narrowing the margin to 47-41 with 2:48 remaining, but Robeson closed the game on a 7-3 run for the 54-44 win.
Final score: Paul Robeson 54 Eagle Academy 44 #psal @BKYSC pic.twitter.com/dSvIEOzzBC
— HS Box Scores NYC (@hsboxscoresnyc) December 17, 2016
Butler finished with 16 points and Swinton had 14 points for Robeson. Butler (4-5), Swinton (6-6) and Figueroa (6-6) were a combined 16-17 from the free-throw line, while Robeson was 20-23 on free throws for the game. Tyrese Crosdale had a game-high 17 points for Eagle Academy.