673d Force Support Squadron claims victory by a hair

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jack Sanders
  • JBER PAO
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The 673d Force Support Squadron squeaked past the 381st Intelligence Squadron 59-55 in double overtime, Jan. 18, during over-30 intramural basketball action at the Elmendorf Fitness Center.

The game started out strong for Force Support when they grabbed an early lead of 3-0 after the first few possessions, but the Intelligence Squadron closed the gap rather quickly after the first foul of many in the game, closing the gap to 11-10.

Before the next foul shot, FSS picked its game up by pulling ahead of the IS team with a score of 21-12. After the foul shots were made, IS went on close the gap to 21-19.

At the end of the half, the score sat at a close 23-19 with the FSS barely holding onto their lead.

The FSS team came out of the half break rejuvenated and increased their lead to 32-26. IS didn't let the lead stand for long before bringing the score back closer 34-31.

The score remained close at 44-41 as the time ticked away toward the end of regulation, but no. 7 IS guard was fouled as he was shooting a three pointer. He dropped all three of his foul shots to pull the game even at 44.

No. 7 led all scorers in the game with 25 points.

With the momentum of the game beginning to swing in their favor, the IS team picked up another basket ramping them ahead of the FSS team for the first time with a score of 46-44.
A flurry of fouls came into play as the pressure was high towards the end of the match and after several foul shots as well as a couple missed baskets 49-46 bringing the FSS back in the lead, but their main ball handler players no. 50 fouled out of the game.

A few more baskets later, the score was again knotted up with only a few minutes left.

With only seconds left on the board, the FSS decided to hold the ball for the last shot. With seconds left, an FSS player was fouled, but neither of the shots went in.

On the following drive by the IS team, they too were fouled with seconds left but were unable to convert any of the shots. The IS were able to grab the rebound from the second miss and put it back in for a 53-51 lead.

The FSS called for a time out, stopping the clock. On the advice of their coach, they went back out onto the court with the ball in their possession.

Tension was thick in the air as the ball found the basket tying up the game and sending it into overtime.

With five seconds left on the clock in overtime the IS team went up for a shot and was fouled, but both of their foul shots were missed.
 
Another foul was made just before the buzzer on the FSS team giving them three foul shots as well and a chance to win the game. None of the shots were converted, which sent the game into double overtime.

In double overtime, the FSS was able to make one foul shot followed by a two pointer, bringing their score up to 56-53. Yet another foul shot was made by the FSS leaving the score to 57-53.

The IS was determined not to be out of the game yet and brought the score back to 57-55.

The final score of the game after another set of free throws for the FSS was 59 to 55, with the FSS winning in double overtime.

"I had two chances to win the game in the first two overtime, and missed free throws," said Anthony Vesiley, 381st IS.

"We just need to buckle down. We need to talk a little more on defense and move the ball a little more on offense. Both teams had a chance to win, it just came down to free throws."

After the longer than expected game, both teams were smiling and shook hands before leaving the court.

"I'm tired," said Vesiley. "It's over 30, so most of the guys out here are in their mid 30s, probably some of them are in their 40s, so we're tired.

Overall it was a good game and I can't complain. I had a good time."