NORTH EDISON, NJ–In the finale of Wednesday night action at the East Coast Conditioning Fall League, East Brunswick took on Rutgers Prep. Paced by the three point shooting of Gary Baumer and Amir Bell as well as a clutch three late by Carl Taylor, the Bears rallied from a 39-27 deficit at the end of the third quarter to tie the game at 39-39 with 1:47 left. However, the Argonauts, which led throughout after taking a 10-5 lead midway through the first period, ended the game with six of the last eight points including a layup and 4 of 6 from the foul line for the 45-41 victory. Below are some notes from the action.
First Quarter
Rutgers Prep took an 18-10 lead after one period. The Argonauts opened the scoring with a three pointer, and eventually hit another one to take a 10-5 lead. Gary Baumer helped close the gap to two with a trey of his own for EB, but Rutgers Prep closed the game with an 8-2 spurt for the eight point lead after one.
Second Quarter
The Argonauts took a 31-21 lead into the intermission. East Brunswick opened the scoring in the second quarter with a three from the left wing by Ethan Folz to narrow the deficit to 18-13, but Rutgers Prep replied by scoring the next six points for a 24-13 lead midway through the period.
The Bears climbed back to within five again thanks to an 8-2 spurt that was sparked by a layup from Baumer at the 3:45 mark, and then three pointers by Amir Bell at the 2:47 and 1:48 marks. However, the Argos closed out the half with the final five points for a double digit lead at the half.
Third Quarter
Rutgers Prep still leads by the score of 39-27. The Argonauts opened the second half scoring with a layup for a 33-21 lead before EB rallied with six straight points including a pair of free throws by Mike Manne.
However, East Brunswick went cold over the last five minutes by not scoring a point while R.U. Prep tallied the final six points of the frame including a bucket at the 4:40 mark.
Fourth Quarter
East Brunswick turned up the heat at the outset of the period with the first dozen points including three foul shots by Bell after he was fouled on a three point attempt, and then a trey by Carl Taylor to tie the score at 39-39 at the 1:47 mark.
On the ensuing possession, Rutgers Prep went back out in front prior to a timeout by EB after Bell injured his neck as he drove toward the Argonauts basket. Folz came on to shoot the free throws with 1:13 to play, and made one of two from the line for a 41-40 Rutgers Prep lead.
The Argos then drew a foul, and made both free throws with 39.2 seconds to go for a 43-40 lead before Jake Krantz drew a foul, and made one of two at the line with 25.4 seconds remaining. Rutgers Prep then closed the game out by making one of two from the line with 21.6 and 10 seconds left for the 45-41 win.