Uptempo 54, Generation 45

I never really thought about it, but you can learn a lot about a team by what they cheer in the huddle before the game. For example, in tonight's matchup, Uptempo started off with a "1-2-3 Defense," while Generation kicked things off with a "1-2-3 Win." At the tip, you could tell that this was two very focused and determined teams. Although they're in different conferences, these two met up last season in the Garden, and that's exactly where they plan to return this June.

To begin the game, both teams were playing zone defense, which led to a 7-7 score at the 15-minute mark. Rafael DaSilva (who was very active in the comments before the game) was getting to the rim, but wasn't able to finish. But before you knew it, a quick three from J.J. McGowan and a layup from DaSilva, and Generation was on top 15-7.

On the defensive end, Generation was packing in the zone, but Uptempo was managing to find the seams. Scott Williams, normally one that finds his way to the basket, was 0-for-the-game to start, forcing Uptempo into becoming a jump-shooting team. Not getting anything in transition - which is normally their bread and butter - clearly frustrated the defending champs. It was only after Joe Branch made a bucket to push it to 21-9 at the 8-minute mark that Uptempo made a change: They came out of their zone.

But at the same time, Uptempo's frustrations had reached a climax when Williams was T'ed up after a foul, sending Branch to the line for four shots. After he managed to convert only one of four, Uptempo smelled the blood in the water. Within a matter of minutes, some careless turnovers from Generation, and Uptempo had cut the lead to 24-18. You could sense that the wind had changed.

In the second half, DaSilva imploded. Already putting up enough bricks to erect a small shelter, he picked up a quick technical foul, followed by an offensive foul, followed by a double-technical, and he was done for the night. Williams came down the next play, hit a three and Generation's lead quickly vanished, as the score was suddenly 34-32.

The Uptempo crew is like the cast of The Goonies, because Goonies never say die. Staying close throughout the second half, a huge three from Nick Blatchford cut it to a one point game, before a Williams jumper gave Uptempo their first lead of the game at 46-43. From there, what had been an unraveling sweater became a pile of yarn. As Uptempo played keep-away, Generation's fouls just made the final score that more unrepresentative of the hard-fought battle.

Final score: Uptempo wins, 54-45.

	1	2		T
Uptempo	19	35	-	54
Generation	31	14	-	45

Box Scores

---

---