The fall is harder when it’s from the top.

Southern Stampede learned that today after their quarterfinal loss to the Oakland Soldiers. Coming into Day 3 as the favorites to win the Peach Invitational, Southern Stampede were looking forward to advance after being snubbed from the headlining EYBL Peach Jam.

In the Quarterfinals against Oakland Soldiers, Stampede had issues getting their offense going in the first half. The Soldiers opened up a huge lead behind sharpshooter Alex Barcello. Barcello commanded the Soldiers offense behind stellar PG play and once possessed a double-digit lead. The Southern Stampede weren’t going to go away quietly.

Collin Sexton, EYBL's leading scorer, led a thunderous rally to pull the Stampede within two. After obtaining their first lead of the second half, the Stampede and Soldiers were trading blows until the very end. The Soldiers ended up on top with a 73-72 victory.

Other games of note:

Boo Williams defeated Team Griffin 62-61 in the Quarterfinals but fell to Alabama Challenge by a buzzer-beater, 62-60 in the semifinals.

In the other semifinals, the Oakland Soldiers lost to last year’s Nike EYBL Peach Jam champs, the Georgia Stars 79-66.

The finals will feature the Alabama Challenge against the Georgia Stars. The Nike Peach Invitational Final will be streamed live on FloHoops 12pm EDT.