Eagles Tested at Orange and Black Classic, Jones Earns Tournament MVP
January 24, 2026
The Colby Eagles faced a demanding three-game stretch at the 41st Annual Orange and Black Classic, using the home tournament as both a measuring stick and a proving ground against high-level competition. Over the course of the week, Colby opened with a win, endured a pair of narrow losses, and came away with valuable lessons that head coach Reed Stephens believes will pay dividends later in the season.
“The Orange and Black is always a tough tournament,” Stephens said. “We got an opportunity to see some really good state level competition this tournament which is a good way to gauge where we are and what we need to do to improve.”
Colby opened tournament play against Pine Creek in a physical, whistle-heavy contest that stayed tight through the first half. The Eagles held a slim 14-11 lead after the opening quarter and continued to battle through defensive pressure and streaky shooting. The turning point came early in the third quarter when Colby caught fire, fueled by defensive intensity and capitalizing on Pine Creek miscues. A decisive run stretched the Eagles’ lead to 50-33 midway through the period.
While Pine Creek mounted a push to close the gap, Colby steadied itself down the stretch and protected its lead in the fourth quarter, securing a 64-53 victory to advance in the bracket.
The second-round matchup against Beloit presented a different challenge. The game was played at a fast pace, with both teams pushing tempo and attacking unsettled defenses. Beloit’s size created problems inside, and Colby found itself trailing 18-12 after one quarter and 23-17 midway through the second. Despite the deficit, the Eagles stayed within striking distance thanks to defensive hustle and timely contributions off the bench.
Colby made its strongest push in the third quarter, cutting the lead to three points while contesting nearly every shot. However, foul trouble became a major factor in the fourth quarter. Jordan Jones fouled out with just over four minutes remaining after scoring 15 points, forcing Colby to adjust late. The Eagles rallied to within four points in the closing seconds, but ultimately came up short in a 52-48 loss.
The tournament concluded with a third-place game against Concordia that delivered one of the most memorable performances of the Classic.
Colby fell behind early as Concordia applied pressure and converted transition opportunities, but Jones kept the Eagles within reach with aggressive drives and midrange scoring. After trailing by double digits, Colby battled back to cut the deficit to four at halftime.
The second half was a grind, with neither team able to pull away. Each Concordia run was answered by Colby stops and buckets, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. In the final minute, Jones drilled a clutch three-pointer to pull the Eagles within two points. Colby forced a turnover moments later, but the potential game-winning shot at the buzzer narrowly missed, sealing a heartbreaking 65-63 loss.
Jones finished the game with 42 points, a performance that earned him Orange and Black Classic Tournament MVP honors. Kaleb Dixon added nine points, providing a spark off the bench, while Nathan Cates contributed five points and strong defensive pressure throughout the tournament.
“I was really proud of the way we played,” Stephens said. “Obviously we didn’t come out the way we had hoped, but I think there are a lot of things we can take from the tourney that will help us moving forward.”
Stephens acknowledged the emotional toll of the close losses but emphasized the long-term value of the experience.
“Our guys took the losses pretty hard and that’s to be expected when you play close games,” he said. “Now we have an idea of what we have to be better at by the time postseason comes around, so it’s not the end of the world. We will have to bounce back this week against three tough opponents.”
Colby exits the Orange and Black Classic battle-tested, motivated, and more aware of the standard required to compete deep into March.
