10-27-2012 | Chicago Tigers End Cinderella Run for Warriors, 45-44

10-27-2012 | Chicago Tigers End Cinderella Run for Warriors, 45-44

By: Shmuel Meir Perl

In the first Tier 1 semi-final game of the night, the RASG Warriors played the Chicago Community Tigers. RASG won the tip, but Chicago Netted the first points of the game with a made free throw. Both teams scored to make it a 3-2 game with five minutes left in the first. Then, Isaac Schecter of RASG converted on a 3-point play to give the Warriors the lead. Both teams scored multiple times, but Chad Basin of RASG took advantage of a 3-point play to give RASG a three point lead. Chicago hit two free throws, but RASG ended the quarter on a 5-0 run making it a 15-9 game.

Chicago had the first two points of the second quarter, but RASG went on a 4-0 run to extend their lead to 8. Daniel Sigler and Nathaniel Moses of the Tigers made free throws to cut the lead to five, but Danny Abramowitz of RASG made a layup to make it a seven point game. The Tigers made a free throw, and then Danny Abramowitz took charges on consecutive plays, but the Warriors could not turn their extra opportunities into points. Chicago then went on a 4-0 run to cut their deficit to three. But Chicago continued to score, and tied it up with 25 seconds left in the half. The Warriors had one more basket and led 24-22 at halftime.

RASG started the second half with a layup, but on the other end, Josh Newlander of the Tigers converted a 3-point play to make it a 1 point game. RASG made another shot, but Chicago hit a three to tie it up. The Tigers continued to score, and their 9-0 put them ahead by 3. RASG went on a little 3-0 run, but it was quickly ended by a Chicago three. Abramowitz then scored off an inbound play and gave RASG the lead. But the Tigers were relentless and went on a 4-0 run to give them a three point lead. With ten seconds left, RASG scored to make it a 38-37 game.

RASG made a free throw to start the fourth and tie the game, but a Josh Silverman and a Hillel Schwartz layup gave Chicago a five point lead. Schwartz made two more free throws and made it a 45-38 game in favor of the Tigers. Then the Warriors went on a 4-0 run, and both teams made two free throws. The Warriors, determined to not have the Cinderella story end tonight, then went on another 4-0 run and took a one point lead. With two minutes left, Hillel Schwartz committed an ill-advised foul and fouled out. It resulted in a made free throw at the other end, but Chicago caught fire and took a two point lead. The Tigers hit a clutch free throw, and when Chad Basin traveled on the other end, the Tigers took advantage of the turnover and extended its lead to four. Both teams made some free throws, and Chicago maintained its two point lead. With seven seconds left, Isaac Schecter made a layup to make it a two point game. Josh Newlander made one of two free throws, but then, while down by three points, Chad Basin of RASG went for a layup instead of a three pointer. He made the layup, but the Warriors dream run was over with a tough 55-54 loss to the Tigers. The high scorer for the Warriros was Isaac Schecter with 17 points and the high scorer for Chicago was Josh Newlander with 12 points.