The combination of the intimate surroundings at Glendale and the absence of backcourt mate Josh Mason triggered Ace Akers' breakout performance Tuesday.

Akers exploded for 26 points to lead Nixa to an 85-69 triumph over Glendale that halted the Eagles' losing streak at three. 

The junior guard netted 21 points in the first half alone, a Blackjack for Ace.

Akers wasn't surprised he had a hot night at Glendale's cozy, compact confines.

"I shot well here last year, so I came here thinking tonight that I needed to get the ball in the hoop," Akers said. "I had a lot of confidence coming into the game. I feel this is a good shooting gym for a lot of people. I don't know why, it might be the fans. They get loud in here and are right on top of us. I like the old-school gyms. Everything is close and packed in. 

"I feel like I can knock down every shot because it's all right there."

Akers nailed five 3-pointers as part of his first-half fireworks. He had already tripled his scoring average coming into the game by halftime.

"All I can say is it's about time," coach Jay Osborne said. "We've had a couple kids who weren't shooting the ball well. We knew it was a matter of time before we started hitting some. He had a great first half shooting the ball."

Akers' shooting understandably caught the Falcons by surprise. 

"They weren't guarding me tight, so I was just trying to get it in the hoop," he said. "Once I get a rhythm, it's hard to get me out of it. I was thinking that if I can keep getting the ball in the hoop, we've got a good chance to win this."

It was much welcomed production from the perimeter for Nixa (2-4) and went a long way toward the Eagles gaining their first since being minus Mason to a hip flexor. 

"Josh puts the ball in the hoop for us. But I think we've developed as a team. We're spreading the floor and getting it low to our big men," Akers said. "I hadn't been shooting that much because I didn't feel like I was getting open. Tonight, I was taking my own shot because I was getting open."

For the full game recap, click here.