It was a close ball game, until we got a run that was started with a Santos block and subsequent dunk. That gave us a 18-11 lead at the 10 minute mark. However, Pait is already in foul trouble with 3.
However, they call a timeout, settle down, and respond with a 8-0 run of their own before we get a fast break layup by Shaw to end it.
Once our starters got tired, their bench worked our bench. 42-29 at the half
Collier, their SG, has 18 points at the half.
Santos has 10. They are playing very good transition defense and we aren't getting many easy fast break points this game. Andres still is struggling a bit with his outside shot. He is 1 of 6 in the first half with 2 points, 2 boards, and 1 assist. He also has 5 turnovers. He has held Stokes to 1 of 9 shooting. However, Martinez is crushing Casey. Martinez has 8 points and 4 assists at the half.
Santos is our leading player at the half with 10 points, 3 boards, 2 assists, and 2 steals.
We start off the 2nd half with a slashing drive by Hodari followed by a steal that allows Andres to draw a foul in the lane.
The first 6 minutes we play terrific defense and we work our way back into it. 46-43 at the 14 minute mark.
Down 52-49 at the 10 minute mark. The amazing thing is that this is mostly Santos and Hodari. Andres is having a poor game. In fact, since he isn't doing much, I sit him before he is really tired to let him get a breather and get to full strength for when he the starters will need to sit in 2 or 3 minutes.
A run for them makes it 60-53 until Santos responds in a HUGE way. First he hits a 3 as time is expiring. Then he steals the ball on our full court press and dunks it! 60-58 with 5:22 to go.
With 3:48 to go, after a few nice driving layups by Hendriks, Santos hits a 3 to give us our first lead in a long time. 65-63 with 3:44 to go!
The crowd is fired up and I've never had to rest our starters as they are riding the energy of the crowd. I get Andres back in and we are set to finish this one off..
Hendriks will remain our PG down the stretch of this game.
After missing a layup, Santos gets a huge block of a layup at the other end.
Andres hits a 3! 68-63 with 2:34 to go.
Stokes draws a foul and hits both FT's to make it a 3 point game again.
Andres is wide open for a 3 and he drills it!
Stokes with a quick 2 to make it a 71-67 lead.
We miss our shot but use the entire shot clock. 34 seconds left.
They shoot an immediate 2 and make it. 71-69. They foul immediately.
Hendriks makes them both. 73-69 with 29 seconds to go.
A careless pass by their inbounder leads to a turnover!
However, Hendriks misses the FT and they get a quick 2 to make it 73-71. 16 seconds left.
Andres hits only the 1st of 2 FT's. 74-71. They get a good look for Collier who has been drilling 3's all night although Santos might have gotten just enough pressure on him as he misses it! 4 seconds left. Pait rebounds it and is fouled. Pait hits the 2nd FT to finish the game off.
Hendriks steals an errant inbound pass and they foul him. He misses them both, but it doesn't matter. 75-71 win!
Santos is the player of the game. 27 points, 7 boards, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and 4 steals. He shot 10 of 20, 2 of 4, and 5 of 6.
Andres had 12 points, 5 boards, 3 assists, and 5 turnovers. He shot 4 of 12, 2 of 5, and 2 of 4.
Hodari had 11 points, 2 boards, 1 assist, 3 steals, and 2 turnovers. He shot 5 of 11, 0 of 2, and 1 of 2. Shaw finished with 4 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals. He only turned it over 1 time. He shot 2 of 5. Pait with 10 points and 10 boards in one of his best games for me.
Hendriks was the best player off the bench as he had 8 points.