Groesbeck halts Yoemen playoff run in heart-breaking loss

The Cameron Yoemen suffered a heart-breaking loss to the Groesbeck Goats on Monday in the bi-district round of the playoffs, falling 60-58.

The Yoemen started strong and took an early 5-1 lead with help from a three-pointer by Phaibian Bynaum (5). Groesbeck came back and tied the game at 5. Cameron responded with a layup by Pharrell Hemphill (4) to give themselves a 7-5 lead. 

The Yoemen then scored on a three-pointer by Nolan Brashear (2) for a 10-9 lead. That was then followed by a basket and another three point shot by Brashear to give Cameron a 15-12 lead. The first quarter ended with Cameron winning 20-15.

The scoring in the second quarter began with a three-pointer by Braylan Drake (15) for a 23-15 lead. That was followed with a layup by Kason Goolsby (1) for a 25-15 lead. Groesbeck marched back and made the score 25-21. Cameron lost the lead 27-25, but regained it right back and went into halftime up on the Goats 29-27.

Groesbeck came out strong in the third quarter and put the Yoemen in a 40-33 deficit. Cameron broke the drought with a successful three point play by Brashear to make it a 40-36 game. The Yoemen then tied the game at 40 on free throws by Hemphill, then took the lead 42-40 on a layup by Bynaum. Cameron extended the lead with a slam dunk by Hemphill to make the score 49-44. The third quarter ended with Cameron ahead 49-47.

The Yoemen stayed ahead in the fourth quarter with a basket by Brashear for a 53-51 lead. The quarter remains tight as both teams exchanged leads. The Yoemen separated themselves from the Goats with a three-pointer by Javoun Goldsby (11) for a 58-56 lead. 

Sadly, Groesbeck would get a bucket and last second free throws to hand the Yoemen a 60-58 defeat.