Huarache 48, Uptempo 32

As the NRF's two most dominant teams, both Uptempo and Huarache have figured out how to rack up easy buckets. For the defending champs, the method is long outlet passes and crafty shot selection; for the Uptown upstarts, opportunistic defense and perimeter firepower are the technique. But in their marquee 9pm showdown, Huarache made Uptempo scratch and claw for every point.

Early on, Scott Williams was matched up with high school teammate Billy Dodson, adding an extra wrinkle to the bristling intensity of this potential matchup between Madison Square Garden finalists. Rookie swingman Nick Blatchford went to the rack for a tough three-point play, but his attempt at repeating the feat resulted in having his shot launched into the stands courtesy of LeKeith Taylor's long arm. Midway through the first half, crusty warhorse Danny Milan went down clutching his leg and Huarache surged to an 18-8 lead. The lead grew to 24-10 after s breakaway two-handed flush by Taylor. Williams, unable to find his range, barked at the officials after Eric Raymundo smothered one of his leaning shot attempts. With under a minute in the first half, he was stuck with a technical foul after drawing a reach-in call from sticky-fingered NRF steals leader Terance Takyi. At the half, the score was 34-12, Huarache cruising out in front.

Buckets didn't get much easier for Uptempo in the second half. The lead grew to a stunning 40-15, as Huarache defenders harried the opposing guards all over the floor – sort of like a ravenous convoy of killer chipmunks at the feet of mighty oak Darius Broadwater. Uptempo showed glimmer of life at the ten minute mark when Williams knocked down back-to-back threes, slicing the lead under 20 (not necessarily a glorious accomplishment, but still). It wasn't enough. With a decisive victory that left Uptempo looking overmatched and in jeopardy of relinquishing its throne, Huarache enters the playoffs as top squad in the NRF.

	1	2		T
Huarache	34	14	-	48
Uptempo	12	20	-	32

Box Scores

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