Uptempo 52, Air Force 1 53

You knew regardless of the fact that both teams were undefeated coming into tonight, that Air Force 1 had this game circled on the calendar during the preseason. After last year’s matchup in the first round of the playoffs, which resulted in an early vacation for Air Force 1 and an NRF Championship for Uptempo, the sting of defeat still burned.

Nonetheless, the key matchup of Uptempo’s Mike Won (22 points, 10 rebounds) and Air Force 1’s Paul Rivera (14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists) looked like it wasn’t going to materialize as PR was nowhere to be seen at tip-off. But with Brandon Smith (12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals) playing like somewhere gunnin’ for Rookie of the Year, and the return of Eric Raymundo (17 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals), Air Force 1 didn’t seem too bothered.

But as the game got underway, the loss of their floor general and fearless leader was apparent. Jumping out to a quick lead, Uptempo’s Stalley (16 points, 7 rebounds) was en fuego. While his mechanics have been there all season, the shots finally started to drop – early and often – against Air Force 1.

Struggling to find a good shot with the defensive pressure of Won, Scott Williams (9 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists) and Danny Millan (5 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists) all over them, Air Force 1’s offensive was stagnent. And for a team that makes at least a half dozen or so threes a game, being unable to connect from long range hurts your chances of winning.

At the half, although Uptempo led by 11, the game still seemed within reach. Looking over at their opponents, Air Force 1 knew what they had to do – run. With starter David Jacoby and key reserve Kevin Wildes out of the lineup – Uptempo was left with only seven players. And as Air Force 1 began their patented second half run, it was apparent that Uptempo was getting tired.

Turning up the tempo (bad pun) and beating them at their own game, it was Air Force 1’s defense on Millan and Williams that got them back in the game. But despite trading buckets, and some clutch second half threes from Raymundo, Rivera and Smith (haven’t we heard this before, re: Shox W2), the game came down to the last five seconds.

With five ticks to go, Air Force 1, down 1, inbounded the ball to Raymundo and let the cagey guard go to work. Driving to the hoop and looking for contact, Raymundo drew the foul and headed to the line… knocking them both down.

Final score: Air Force 1 wins, 53-52.

	1	2		T
Uptempo	29	23	-	52
Air Force 1	18	35	-	53

Box Scores

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