A very physical battle turns ugly as they slam Bose to the ground with 2:30 to go in the first half. He injures his ankle and has to leave the game
We are up 31-28 at that point.
At the end of the half, we are up 36-31 in a game in which we have avoided turnovers despite their high tempo press and we are generally playing well.
Lloyd is our player of the half with 11 points, 6 boards, and a block. He also played all 20 minutes.
13:30 into the 2nd half and with our lead slipping away, we have Bose try to go with a twisted ankle.
Bose is needing help guarding his man and won't give us many minutes...
In fact, with him being ineffective with the injury, 3 minutes later
go to Plavich. With 10:37 to go, we are down 50-48. As soon as he comes into the game, Plavich gets a fast break basket to tie it up!
Next possession, Lloyd gets the basket and the foul down low! After they tie it with a 3, Plavich responds with a fast break dunk!
We are down by 4 with 3:35 to go, 59-55. Lloyd is tired and will get a 1 minute breather.
After a steal, a breakaway pass from Bakari to Martin makes it just a 2 point lead with 1:20 to go!
We foul Bennett their PF and he misses the first of 2!
With the 3 point lead, they guard very well and maybe I should have gone for the inside shot, but we didn't. I went for a 3 with Bakari and he misses it. Johnson gets the board but has it stolen. We have to foul.
23 seconds left.
Johnson, their star SF, makes both FT's
Martin hits a quick 3! 13 seconds left!
White, hits only the 1st FT!!! Lloyd gets the board! Now, we have to hit the 3.... 11 seconds left...
Bakari Lewis drills it with a man on him! He swished it!
Their long heave doesn't go, we are going to OT!!
Our starters are all energized by the crowd.
With 1:35 to go in OT, Martin drives into the lane to get the foul. He hits both FT's to keep our lead. 76-73.
With 46 seconds left, Martin hits a corner 3 to make it a 79-75 lead!
We end up winning 81-77 in OT
Martin is the player of the game. 23 points, 2 assists, 1 board. 8 of 16 shooting, 3 of 6 from the arc, 4 of 5 from the line.
However, all of my starters were huge.
Lloyd played 44 minutes and had 16 points, 16 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
Johnson played 44 minutes and had 13 points, 15 boards, 2 steals, and a block.
Spencer played 37 minutes and had 12 points, 7 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals, and a block.
Lewis played 37 minutes and had 7 points, 5 assists, 2 boards, and 2 steals. The game tying 3 was his only 3 of the night. He was 1 of 4 from the arc and 2 of 7 overall.
Off the bench, Plavich surprised with 4 points and Grochowalski had 5.