Colby Erases 12-Point Deficit, Stuns Ulysses 49–47 in Season Opener

The Colby Eagles opened their boys basketball season with the kind of resilience, poise, and fourth-quarter execution that first-year head coach Reed Stephens hopes will define his program. Down by as many as 12 and unable to find rhythm through most of the first half, the Eagles methodically clawed their way back before finally overtaking Ulysses in the closing minutes to secure a dramatic 49–47 road victory.

It was a night that began with offensive frustration and rebounding struggles. Ulysses’ length dominated the glass early, limiting Colby to one-and-done trips and fueling the Tigers’ 17–5 advantage as the Eagles struggled to finish at the rim. Turnovers compounded the issue, contributing to a 12–4 hole after one quarter and a 24–18 deficit at halftime.

Yet even in the early grind, Colby never unraveled. Senior guard Jordan Jones and junior forward Josiah Hoppe refused to let the game slip away, and their persistence would pay off in a dominant fourth-quarter surge.

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Colby began chipping away after halftime, narrowing the Ulysses lead to four midway through the third quarter. Jones produced a crucial highlight during that stretch, stripping a Tiger ballhandler near midcourt and racing in for a fast-break score. When Ulysses briefly rebuilt its advantage to eight just before the quarter break—capping the frame with a dagger three—the Eagles again steadied themselves and prepared for one final push.

Hoppe sparked the turnaround with a powerful inside move for his seventh point, then began creating second-chance opportunities through relentless rebounding—something Colby had been unable to generate all night. His activity around the rim changed the physical tone of the game and pulled Colby within striking distance.

Jones then delivered one of the defining shots of the night, burying a deep three from the wing to tie the game at 45 with 2:20 remaining—marking the first time all night that Colby had pulled even. Moments later, Jones knifed into the paint for an acrobatic attempt that missed, but Hoppe snatched the offensive rebound, absorbed contact, and sank free throws to give Colby its first lead of the season.

From there, the pair continued to carry the Eagles. Jones hit a tough pull-up jumper to reclaim the lead at 48–46. Hoppe corralled another crucial rebound on a Ulysses miss, knocking down one of two free throws to make it a three-point margin. Colby then forced a defensive stop, and although missed free throws left the door cracked open in the final seconds, Ulysses’ last-chance free throw with 2.1 seconds remaining missed the rim entirely. The Eagles inbounded, survived the final possession, and sealed the comeback victory.

Jones finished with 16 points, including seven in the fourth quarter, along with three rebounds and three assists. Hoppe delivered 11 points—all in the second half—seven rebounds, and countless momentum-changing plays inside.

Supporting scorers included:

Stephens praised the resolve his team showed in his first career win.

“The game was a lot of fun,” Stephens said. “I thought we had some nerves and some jitters, but we talked it over at halftime and we rallied late in the fourth. I was really proud of the guys. They never gave up and we fought hard to the end, which is why we got the win. It wasn’t the prettiest game, but we got the job done.”

Senior captain Jones echoed the importance of composure and trust down the stretch.

“The game was a little rocky, not necessarily how I would have drawn up our first game, but I was happy to start the season with a win,” Jones said. “In the fourth quarter you can’t come back with one possession—you’ve got to slow the game down, limit turnovers, and control the pace. Josiah played great. His strength, patience, and rebounding were huge. I think teams are going to have a tough time guarding him this season.”

Stephens added that the Eagles will quickly turn the page as they prepare for this week’s Topside Tipoff Tournament.

“Topside is going to be tough,” he said. “We’re going to continue to work on our offensive and defensive schemes and make sure we’re ready to go come Thursday.”

Colby leaves Ulysses with its first win, its first test passed, and the confidence of a group already showing its competitive identity—a team that simply refuses to fold.

by Derek White