Delta Force 47, Shox 39

College hoops has rivalry week but in the NRF, there’s upset week. Team Shox has hit the league in the mouth (I don’t say pause but feel free to insert that here) with their chemistry, athleticism and savvy. But Team Delta Force didn’t seem too worried with the return of their fearless leader Damian Bullock. Team Shox initially stuck to their game plan of pushing the pace behind Chad Easterling (14 points, 11 rebounds) and Bernard “Booga” Bowen (12 points) and it worked-until they hit the 15 point mark. The game never really slowed down but both teams made turnovers and missed open shots to end the first half with a score 15-12. 

Despite the three point differential at halftime, both teams were tied in terrible free throw attempts with one per team.

Terrible FTA: Treasure Kyn Neal (Team Delta Force)-Air ball at the line; CGF (Team Shox)-Hit the side of the backboard.

Justin Leonard turned into “Just Exciting” in the opening minutes of the second half, with an alley on the break to Easterling and three pointer in transition to push the lead to eight (20-12). Midway through the half, the game finally picked up after a Delta Force run. Stalley quieted the competition with a scoop alley-oop to Easterling for the nasty two handed stuff. On the ensuing play, Bullock got in the books with a three from the top of key, to give Delta Force the 34-30 lead. At the 3:20 mark, Erskin Felix (13 points, nine rebounds) showed off his athleticism on a fast-break by avoiding a charge and then with a hook shot in the lane (40-33). Team Shox kept it close in the end but missed 10 free throws and an opportunity to stay undefeated, as they fell 47-40.

Kelvin Coffey led all scorers with 15 points and five rebounds and said the key to victory was perimeter defense on. “My goal tonight was to hold down Pat Cassidy and he only had about five or six points, so I did my job,” Coffey said. “I this win puts us right up there with the top teams in this league.”

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