Cops out-muscle Med Group

Published March 30, 2012
By Brandice J. O'Brien
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- It could have been anyone's game; both intramural basketball teams made a solid play for control of the ball and game. In the end, the 72nd SFS wanted it more. They won the Large Squadron 8-Team Double Elimination Bracket Losers group game 45-39 against the 72nd MDG at the Gerrity Fitness and Sports Center main gymnasium March 26.

If the Cops win the remaining games in the Losers bracket, they will play the winners' bracket victor to become the overall large squadron champion for the season.

"We were short manned at the beginning, but we wanted to play together, play defense and get a win," said David Langston, coach for the Cops' team. "And that's what we did."

As soon as the whistle blew, Cops' Derek DeVan took the ball and scored three points. The Med Group countered with a three-pointer of their own. Within 30 seconds, the Cops scored again to lead the game 6-3. Following two foul shots by DeVan, the Cops were up 8-3. Two minutes later, the Med Group took the lead at 9-8 for the first time when Marques Mitchell scored a three-pointer. The Cops soon caught up and tied the score at 9 points apiece when Devon Drake made a foul shot.

With another successful free throw by DeVan, the Cops were ahead again, 10-9. The teams volleyed for the lead and were soon tied at 14 points each. For the next four minutes, the Med Group dominated the game, at one point beating the Cops by five points.

The 19-14 lead wouldn't last. Following a series of shots by DeVan and one by Floyd Houston, Cops regained the lead and finished the first half at 20-19.

When the game resumed, the Cops went to town allowing the Med Group to score only two points in the first six minutes. Meanwhile, Duron Arnold, Travis White and DeVan scored five points for the team. Although the Cops led 25-21, it wouldn't last long. The Med Group scored three points before Lance Johnston scored them another three and took the lead at 27-25.

With nine minutes to go in the game, White scored a three-pointer tying the game at 27 points apiece. The Med Group got ahead with a three-pointer and Arnold tied the game. Within 30 seconds, Johnston scored two points and took the lead again. It would be the last time the Med Group led the game.

With 7:02 left in the game, Arnold made a three-pointer and the Cops led 33-32. DeVan hit two free throws before the Med Group managed another shot. Quinton Green then scored a two-pointer, making it the last time scores would be neck-and-neck.
In the next three minutes, the Cops widened the gap two, three, four, six and ultimately seven points.

With 45 seconds remaining in the game, Mitchell of the Med Group scored a three-pointer, closing the gap to 43-39. The Cops scored two more points, compliments of free throws made by DeVan and won the game 45-39.