The Arizona players were amped up to play Imperial Phantoms the defending conference champs from the Big 8. Both teams started the season 1-2, and both were riding 4 game win streaks. Arizona came with a hectic pace, but couldn't put the ball in the hoop. They missed close range shots repeatedly in the 1st quarter, and their over aggression kept putting them out of position to get a rebound.

Imperial Phantoms were getting 2nd and 3rd chances on seemingly every possession...by the end of the game, their dominance on the offensive boards gave them 20 more shot attempts than Arizona. Arizona, the 4th highest scoring team coming in, only scored 9 in the 1st quarter, and were trailing 26-16 with about 5 minutes left in the half. In the blnk of an eye, Arizona closed out the half on a 14-2 run taking a 30-28 lead into the break.

Arizona continued their run to start the 3rd, and had control of the game. The lead grew to 9, and Arizona had the ball, and seemingly all the momentum. However, a quick spirt by Imperial to end the 3rd cut the 9 point lead to just 3, 55-52 heading into the 4th. Arizona regained control again early the 4th, before the Phantoms got a second wind, and it looked Arizona tired out. at one point, Imperial clawed all the way back taking a 70-69 lead with just minutes left in the game.

Arizona responded, however, and gave themselves seperation before closing out the game at the FT for the final score of 89-80. At one point, it didn't look like either team would score 60 in this game, let alone both teams reaching the 80's. Imperials front court of Lorenz and Parsons were dominating this game on the glass. They combined for 30 rebounds, including half of their boards coming on the offensive glass. They also combined forr 45 points.

Arizona's PF Zekic was doing everything humanly possible to keep his team in the game. His 37 points, on 15/22 shooting, including a staggering 5/6 from 3 point range, and 16 rebounds, not only made him the leagues scoring leader with 23 points a game average, but may have catapulted him into the MVP discussion should he continue playing like he has so far this season!

Arizona moves to 6-2 and has another tough game on an already brutal early season schedule. Saturday they travel to face #1 Burger Chefs who are also 6-2. After Imperials loss, and USA Elite also falling on the road last night to 10inch Veritcal, the Chefs now sit atop the Big 8 by themselves, in sole possesion of 1st place. Despite the win streak, Arizona is still chasing both Finger Rolls (7-1), and 10inch Vertical (7-1).

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By: INA-Azariah_710
To: Jason

256885.2 as reply to 256885.1
06/13/2012 20:29:12

After the game, Phantoms coach Azariah repeatedly rebuffed reporters' questions whether or not he felt the game was rigged. "To be honest, I didn't see much of it. I was much too busy taking fiddle lessons on the bench while the backups were floundering around out there."

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By: tough
To: Jason

256885.3 as reply to 256885.1
06/13/2012 22:04:34

lowest scoring 1st half ever inD2 that i've seen

Last edited by tough at 6/13/2012 9:05:04 PM

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By: Jason
To: INA-Azariah_710

256885.4 as reply to 256885.2
06/13/2012 23:58:18

Yeah, some of the substitutions down the stretch were head scratching. My starting SG kept getting taken out, which I didn't understand....your two stud bigs kept coming out which seemed especially weird...however, in that last minute, in 3 point shooting mode, I guess your coach wanted them out...but are your backup bigs better shooters?

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By: Jason
To: tough

256885.5 as reply to 256885.3
06/13/2012 23:58:51

Yeah, it was a pretty brutal first half...but we made up for it in the 2nd half :-)

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