Tinker drops season opener in double overtime loss Published Oct. 29, 2009 By John Stuart Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tinker men's basketball coach Clarence Griffin knows exactly what his team is going to be working on this week. He was already scheming a practice regimen as time expired on his team's 90-85 double overtime loss Oct. 24 to McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. And there's no getting around it for the Tinker hoopsters. The guys are going to shoot free throws -- lots of them. The Tinker squad lost at home in their season opener to a towering, physical McConnell team despite leading the score battle for almost four quarters. In the end it was free throws that did them in. Tinker hit only eight of 19, including two missed free throws with one second left in the fourth quarter that would've clinched the win. Instead, it forced a double overtime situation that fell in McConnell's favor. "Free throws are a big weak-spot which came as a surprise," Griffin said. "We shoot hundreds of free throws in practice. It's no question that's going to be something we're going to work on. "They hit some big shots and that got them moving and a few cases they outhustled us and that made the difference. When you have a close game those little miscues can account for a big difference." The starters came out strong for Tinker, putting 22 points on the board in the first quarter against a McConnell team that boasts four players over 6-foot 4-inches. Tinker struggled to keep their offense at full speed in later quarters though, as intensity and execution waned. "They were doing well and everything was clicking and you have to maintain that and we didn't maintain that and (McConnell) got away with (a win) and I think we realize that," Griffin said. "It was a disappointing loss but it was a case where we identified our weak areas that we can toughen up. "It was not for the most part due to defensive adjustments made by McConnell, it was our execution and intensity that fell off." Shooting guard Duron Arnold led the way in scoring for Tinker, putting up 23 points, including six in the second overtime. Forward Phil Hawthorne scored 20 for the team and had the most three pointers with six. Tinker had several key players sitting out for the game, which contributed to the outcome, Griffin said. The team should be back to full strength in several weeks when the players return. "McConnell played a very good game and we didn't, and they only beat us by five points," Griffin said. "And if we had tapped into our ability more I don't think it would've been a close game in my opinion. I look forward to the rematch." Tinker will meet McConnell again in January. Griffin, who is in his sixth year as the Tinker men's coach, said the season holds definite promise. With a host of talent at all positions, hard work and execution will make the difference. "I'm very positive about the team. I think they have abilities that are unrealized at this time," Griffin said. "We have lots of interchangeable parts and we have a very athletic team. When they understand how good they can be we can start reaching that goal." The Tinker hoopsters will be back in action Nov. 14 against Altus Air Force Base. The teams will tip off at 2 p.m. at the Gerrity Fitness and Sports Center.