NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ–After seeing both games from the first round of the Gene Haley Memorial Tournament at J.F. Kennedy, GMC Hoops drove down Route 1 South to Route 130 South to see the opening round of the Brunswick Classic. In the first game, New Brunswick took on South Brunswick, and in a game of back and forth play, the Vikings were able to overcome poor perimeter shooting with a great rebounding effort at both ends of the floor, especially by Chris Bourne to come away with a hard fought, 48-44 victory. Below are some game notes from the contest.
First Quarter
2:00–arrive with New Brunswick leading 8-7.
1:15–NB–1 of 2 FTs for a 9-7 lead.
0:30–NB–Sammad Thomas scores on layup for an 11-7 lead.
0.0–SB–Michael Green hits a three from the left wing for an 11-10 NB lead.
Second Quarter
7:30–SB–Chris Bourne scores on putback for a 12-11 lead.
6:36–SB–nice pass upcourt to Muha for layup and a 14-11 leead.
6:18–NB–#1–hits three pointer from left wing for a 14-14 tie.
2:00–NB–on an 8-5 run including four points from Milton Pittman and two points each by #4 and #11. Â Keenan connected on a three pointer for SB while the Vikings also got a breakaway layin.
1:11–NB–Pittman–draws foul, and makes both FTs for a 24-19 lead.
3.2–NB–#4 swipes a steal, but #1 is unable to connect on long shot at the buzzer.
NB ended the first half with a 13-5 tear over the last 6:18.
SB a 6-3 edge in points scored from beyond the arc.
Pittman–6 points in quarter.
Third Quarter
7:30–NB–gets first points of the second half for a 26-19 lead.
6:36–SB–Bourne scores on layup off assist from Keenan for a 26-21 NB lead.
6:09–NB–30 second timeout after SB hits a three pointer for a 26-24 NB lead.
0:00–NB leads 34-30 after three. Â The Zebras led 28-24 when South Brunswick scored four straight points including a putback by Bourne for a 28-28 tie. Â The two teams exchanged scores for a 30-30 tie before Thomas made two free throws, and #4 got a basket on a goaltending call.
Fourth Quarter
7:42–SB–T.J. Taylor scores on layup for a 34-32 NB lead.
7:30–NB–Thomas reverse layup for a 36-32 lead.
7:00–SB–Green fouled on jumper–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 36-33 NB lead.
6:40–SB–Taylor picks #4’s pocket only to have #4 pick his pocket…NB–#4 goes in for layup and misses. Â Thomas rejected on follow.
6:27–NB–#23 blocks shot by Bourne–goes out of bounds–SB ball.
6:23–SB–Bourne gets offensive rebound, and is fouled on the follow–makes both FTs for a 36-35 NB lead.
6:02–SB–Keenan swipes steal, and Taylor fouled on layup attempt–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 36-36 tie.
5:46–NB–Thomas fouled on the right low block–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 37-36 lead.
5:34–tempo of game has gotten out of control–both teams losing the basketball only to regain it moments later.
5:19–NB–#11
5:10–SB–Bourne gives Vikes a 38-37 lead on a layup from right low block–first Viking lead since early second quarter.
4:12–SB–shots can’t fall for them. Â Muha and Keenan have three pointers go in and out on them while Bourne works hard for offensive rebounds, but can’t put it back in.
4:06–NB–carrying violation. Â SB–full timeout.
3:45–SB–Green kicks to Muha for a jumper from the right corner for a 40-37 lead.
2:57–SB–calls timeout.
2:42–SB–goes ahead by five on circus shot, 42-37.
2:04–NB–Pittman converts three point play for a 42-40 SB lead.
1:20–NB–timeout after Thomas is fouled on reverse layup attempt, and makes both FTs for a 42-42 tie.
1:03–SB–Keenan scores on floater off drive for a 44-42 lead.
40.0–SB–blocks shot by Thomas.
34.3–NB–timeout after SB fouled–both teams in bonus–Muha misses front end of one and one.
25.0–SB–Bourne fouled after NB misses three point attempt–makes both FTs for a 46-42 lead. Â SB timeout.
15.5–NB–calls timeout to avoid turnover.
3.8–NB–calls timeout after Pittman scores on putback of a miss three attempt by Thomas for a 46-44 SB lead. Â Following the timeout–SB tries to inbound, but can’t–forced to call for time.
2.3–SB–Green fouled on inbounds–makes both ends of the double bonus for a 48-44 lead.
0.0–SB wins 48-44.