LYNN — The Lynn Classical boys basketball team hosted Malden in a rematch from one month ago – a game the Rams lost 53-45. The Rams were determined to right that wrong, but went cold in the second half in a 47-37 final that favored Malden.

It was Senior Night at Classical High, and head coach Marvin Avery started all of his seniors who didn’t disappoint.

Seniors Kenaalii Cohen-Ellison (four points) and Brady Warren (eight points) were an instant duo for the Rams in the first quarter. Cohen-Ellison opened the scoring with an acrobatic scooping layup. Warren, on the other hand, showed off his quick release from distance as he connected on a corner jumper.

“We tried to make the best of it for our seniors,” Classical coach Marvin Avery said. “The game belonged to them tonight. Unfortunately, we did not come out on top, but I am so happy for those five seniors.”

Despite the Rams’ start, Malden stayed in the game with its three-point shooting. The Golden Tornadoes held a 13-12 lead after the first. 

Malden sat in a zone defense in the second quarter, and the Rams found success from behind the arc. Kanny Fils-Aime (nine points) drilled three straight from downtown to give the Rams a 9-0 run and a 21-13 lead midway through the quarter. 

Malden responded with a 12-4 run, and things were knotted at 25 by the halftime break.

The third quarter is when things started to head south, and the Rams’ offense continued to struggle in the fourth. Shots weren’t falling, and the energy began to fade.

With Malden seemingly unable to miss, Classical scored just 12 points in the second half. 

“We just got into a lull,” Avery said. “When you don’t score in basketball, it makes everything else hard.” 

Classical’s next game will be on the road Tuesday at English with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. 

Classical’s leading scorers:

Fils-Aime (9)

Warren (8)

Marvin Avery Jr. (5)

Davonte Taggart (4)

Cohen-Ellison (4)

Kameron Rucker (4)

Ethan Chevalier (3)