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Sports U/Team IZOD wins first playoff game at iS8/Nike Fall Tip Off
It all came down to the fourth quarter.
Sports University (Fairfield, NJ) and Fastbreak NYC seemed to be battling
bucket for bucket, board for board in this high intensity game.
M. Wingate
Kyrie Irving |
However, Sports University
increased its offensive drive on the NY squad and forced Fastbreak
into desperation basketball in the fourth phase. Sports University
upended Fastbreak NYC 78-69 Wednesday evening and advanced to the next
round of the iS8/Nike Fall Tip-Off Classic playoffs.
"Actually, I thought it was really lackadaisical," said Sports
University head coach Eric Harrield of his team's effort. "They picked
it up in the second half, but getting here, traffic, late, they really
didn't bring it in the first half. Second half- much better."
Sports University was led by the one-two
punch, high-low game of the very tough and physical Derrick Williams
(25 points) and Kyrie Irving (17 points). Although the NJ squad held
the advantage for the majority of the first half, Fastbreak stayed
within striking distance. Fastbreak's Lowell Ulmer did not let his
team slip through the cracks in the early quarters, pacing Fastbreak
NYC with ball reversals, put-backs
and quick baskets to the cylinder in transition.
Ulmer finished with a game-high 27
points in the losing effort. |
Ulmer was getting busy in the
second quarter scoring eight of the team's ten points in the opening
minutes of the second phase. Ultimately, this gave Fastbreak an advantage
for the first time in the contest, 25-24, with a little over three minutes
before halftime.
Sports University quickly took the lead back and extended its advantage to
seven, 33-26, by the two-minute mark of the second phase.
The half closed 39-38 on an Ulmer cleanup.
As the third quarter commenced, it seemed as if both teams had an extra
spark in their game, each trying to outdo the other. Irving continued to
use his transition baskets, while Williams stayed consistent at both ends
of the floor to lift their team to an eight-point advantage, 51-43, with
3:42 on the clock.
Fifteen seconds remaining in the third phase, it was still a
one-possession game. However, the fourth and final quarter brought about
changes. Fastbreak's John Salandro (eight points) brought it upstairs to
draw his squad within one, 54-53. However, Williams answered with another
bucket to make the score 56-53. Irving followed it up with another basket
and, soon, when the small 8-0 run was capped, Fastbreak trailed by nine
points, 62-53.
As the NY squad committed detrimental turnovers and could not get
second-chance opportunities under the offensive glass, Sports University
exploited the golden opportunity and kept pounding it in. The NJ squad's
consistent offensive strength prompted Fastbreak to begin to play like
individuals. The NY rival did not set up plays, was too quick to execute
and attempted to take their defenders one-on-one to the basket. This call
of action still resulted in more turnovers on the offensive end. And, on
the defensive end, Fastbreak NYC let its offense dictate its defense
causing the squad to not guard well and get into foul trouble.
"We switched up the defense, showed [Fastbreak NYC] different looks and,
offensively, we started converting," said Harrield. "We went into the big
fella inside, the high-low game, which really opened up the perimeter
shooters. Overall, I just think different looks defensively got them on
their heels and we were able to capitalize."
Sports University saw a 10-point lead three times down the fourth-phase
stretch.
Sports University will play Starret City in the second round of the
iS8/Nike playoffs on Saturday at 10:15 a.m.
"I'm looking for more effort, less turnovers, basically, to play smart
basketball," said Harrield of his playoff expectations. "We had a lot of
stupid fouls that we didn't need to make, rebounding, you know, the little
parts of the game, take your charges, cutting down on turnovers, making
foul shots, rebounding, boxing-out. If we do those things, we'll be fine."
October 22, 2009
Deborah N. Harris
NYCHoops.net Staff Writer |
