TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- The 72nd Security Forces Squadron showed no mercy Jan. 28 en route to a 43-34 victory over the 552nd Operational Support Squadron in large squadron intramural basketball action.
   Both teams entered the contest with hopes of moving up in the season standings. The 72nd SFS sat in second place with a 5-2 record, while the 552nd OSS was in the middle of the pack with a 2-4 record.
   Led by forward Julian Phillips, the 72nd SFS raced to an early 14-3 lead. Phillips had eight points mostly on fast break lay-ups and rebound baskets.
   The 552nd OSS rallied behind the offensive play of guards Harley Shannon and Kyle Williams, who scored eight points apiece during a 17-8 run at the end of the first half. At the break, the 72nd SFS held a 22-20 advantage.
   "The defense we displayed in the first half was not good enough," Taiwan Evans, 552nd OSS head coach, told him team at the half. "We need to control the long rebounds and we should be fine."
   The pace of the game picked up in the second half. The 72nd SFS turned up the pressure on defense and held a 10-point lead with 12 minutes left. They continued to stifle their opponent throughout the remainder of the contest.
   "Our zone defense and our ability to handle the ball effectively without turning it over was the key to victory tonight," said Nick Ketchum, 72nd SFS head coach.
   Phillips was the star of the game for the 72nd SFS. He scored 12 points and grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds. Shannon led the way for the 552nd OSS with 10 points and seven rebounds.
   With the win, the 72nd SFS moved into third place in the standings with a 6-2 record. The loss dropped the 552nd OSS to 2-5 on the season.