Avengers finish the deal, 66-59
The Avengers have not had many bounces go their way this season, but veteran wide receiver Kevin Ingram recovered two key turnovers on kickoffs Saturday night to help L.A. defeat the Arizona Rattlers, 66-59, at Staples Center.
In ending a two-game losing streak, the Avengers’ defense stepped up in the second half and quarterback Tim Hicks made several big plays, including a winning touchdown pass to Timon Marshall.
The Avengers (4-6) completed a two-game regular-season sweep of the Rattlers (4-5). The Avengers won at Arizona, 65-33, on March 10.
Hicks stepped up with a strong first half, passing for 237 yards and five touchdowns.
Despite the effectiveness of Hicks, a former standout at West Liberty State (W.Va.), the Avengers found themselves tied, 38-38, at halftime.
Big plays hurt L.A. in the first half as it gave up a 55-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Trandon Harvey and three touchdown passes of at least 29 yards by quarterback Lang Campbell.
In the second half, both teams turned up their defensive pressure until the Rattlers broke the tie with a touchdown pass from Campbell to Siaha Burley for a 45-38 lead at the end of three quarters.
Early in the fourth, the Avengers tied the score, 45-45, on a short touchdown run by Josh Jeffries and took a 52-45 lead on the ensuing kickoff when Ingram recovered a Rattlers fumble in the end zone.
After Arizona responded with a Campbell scoring pass to Harvey to tie the score at 52-52, Jeffries scored his second touchdown to put the Avengers in front, 59-52.
The Rattlers responded with a Campbell scoring pass to Burley for a 59-59 tie.
The game was decided on Hicks’ touchdown pass to Marshall, who had a team-high nine catches for 120 yards and two scores.
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