Epic!
That's the first word that comes to mind when describing the Golden Eagles 99-91 comeback win in the quarterfinals of the USCAA tournament at Virginia State in Petersburg, VA.
The team, the fans, the whole VSU Multi Purpose Center was still shaking with nervous excitement 20 minutes after KSU Tusc erased a 19-point, 81-62, Penn State Greater Allegheny advantage to punch their ticket to the Final Four for the second straight year. The Eagles pace only hastened near the end as they flew around, outhustling the Lions for rebounds, possessions and most importantly, baskets!
It was PSUGA who left a mark on KSU Tusc in the first half of play by knocking down 57% of their field goal tries and making 7-13 three pointers (54%) as they opened up a 57-47 lead at the intermission.
Greater Allegheny led by as many as 16 right before the break, but the Eagles sliced the margin to 10 courtesy of two steals that resulted in baskets for the navy and gold getting six late points from Kyle Shockley and Javier Ward.
Through all of the darkness, the Eagles shone their own light when they controlled the last 10 minutes of the final half by limiting the Lions to just 10 tallies while pouring in 37 points of their own. Trailing 81-62, KSU relied on liberal subbing as they upped the pressure on both ends of the court, playing at a frenetic but controlled pace. PSUGA was thus denied a repeat of their first half success from the arc, struggling to 2-11 (18%) shooting from distance, while the Eagles rained home 18-33 action shots (55%) and 14-17 free throws (82%).
Spelled by some quality minutes by nonstarters, the Eagles didn't back down and played like their very lives depended on this game.
Following a free throw by Mekhi Johnson, KSU Tusc exploded on a 24-3 run highlighted by several runout layups and three dunks as they turned the game into a track meet, boat-racing PSUGA up and down the court forcing the Lions into bad decisions and hurried shots.
All told, the Eagles took their first lead of the game (83-82) since they led 5-3 on a Vinny Roper tear drop with 5:04 showing on the game clock. A Kyle Shockley dunk and another Roper basket at the 3:58 mark gave KSU a five-point, 87-82, lead before the Lions could answer the bell with their first basket in over seven and one-half minutes.
As close as GA would get was 87-84 as the Eagles attacked them on every possession going to the hoop at will to contest rebounds and create scoring opportunities. The Lions were back on their heels and were forced to try and make plays, but it was the Eagles who made plays when it counted the most.
With Kameron Shockley playing a little gimpy from an ankle injury early in the contest, brother Kyle wanted the ball in his hands at crunch time and he made the Lions pay at the free throw line. Kyle sank 9-10 free throws in the last 2:48 and Kameron added another freebie as the Eagles taunting game of keep-away closed out the game from the charity stripe.
The Eagles placed four players in double figures as Kyle Shockley led all scorers with 34 points---25 in the deciding half---and Kameron Shockley was right behind with 26 tallies. Roper chipped in with 14 points and Javier Ward added 10.
Roper's inspired play and lockdown defense in the second half stifled the Lions leading halftime scorer (16 points) holding him to just five over the final 20 minutes. The same can be said about Johnson who played some great interior defense and ripped down 10 boards to lead the Eagles and limit Lions possessions.
With the victory, the Eagles (22-9) are propelled into the Final Four against in-state rival Cincinnati Clermont on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. The two teams split during the regular season with each winning on their home floor.
Kameron Shockley fought through an ankle injury on this play to score 26 points against PSUGA.
Javier Ward knocks the ball away and scored 10 points in the quarterfinal game.
Kyle Shockley is tripped up on his way to two of his 34 points against Greater Allegheny.
Kyle Shockley dunks home two of his game high points.
(Photos by Rob Brindley)