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SCW-1 overcomes stall for 14-point win

  • Published
  • By John Parker
  • Staff Writer
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Fielding only five players, 72 OSS beat back SCW-1's much deeper bench in the first half Jan. 19 before Navy bombarded their way to a 40-26 victory.

Navy's 10-player squad roared to a 10-0 lead on a combination of baskets, free throws and a Nathan Kerley 3-pointer. SCW-1's defense held the shutout for eight minutes before 72 OSS's Alan James sank a left corner trey.

David Kopec later matched James' 3-pointer to make it 10-6. With both teams fouling and slowing the pace, 72 OSS capitalized on foul shots and a long pass to wide-open Greg Hanks under the basket. James sealed OSS's 12-10 halftime lead with a 3 from the right wing. James was the team's top scorer with 12.

Kione Morgan revved up the second half for SCW-1 with a quick 3-pointer in the wing. He then converted a steal into a basket, regaining a 15-12 Navy lead. Morgan was the game's top scorer with 24, 19 in the second half.

The teams traded goals to a 20-20 tie with 8 minutes left in the 16-minute half. SCW-1 held 72 OSS to 2 points for the next 6 ½ minutes while boosting their lead to 30-22. Morgan scored six in Navy's 10-point gain, while teammates Joseph Bryant and Koran McCoy each added a basket.

With the score 30-24 in the last minute and a half, Navy super-glued the 14-point final margin. Daniel Marquez helped with a 3-pointer from the wing. Morgan sank two foul shots and a trey, and Jamison Kidd snagged the 40th point with a basket.

Navy coach Jason Bradford said the team eventually adjusted to the scoring lag.
"Well, first off, we had to buckle down on defense and quit giving a team with no life, life," he said. "Stop looking around and start being more active, moving without the ball and staying in front of your man defensively.

"Once we started playing better defense, it was easier for us to make better shots and get a comfortable lead."

72 OSS coach/captain Kopec said SCW-1's full court press wore them out late in the second half, especially with no subs.

"We did a good job of slowing down the pace in the first half, but they were able to play more up tempo in the second half," he said. "I was really proud of the effort my guys put in that game."