Reading, MA – They don’t run quite as fast as they used to. They don’t tire teams out as they did in 2004. Some of them (Cap’n Mike) don’t make their open shots quite as consistently as they once did. But, Origins Unknown is still gettin’ it done in the O-8.

The topic of game winning shots is a common one at the post-game watering hole for OU, and now the story of this game’s end will be rehashed and retold for years to come. James “Stretch” Hogan IV grabbed a monster offensive board and sank a last second follow up shot to beat Chili’s 75-74 in an instant classic last night in Reading.

OU faced a loaded Chili’s team but played ‘em rock-solid, never giving in to the constant attack by the enemy. Back on the court for Chilis for the first time in ages was Big Dan. And with TJ also suited up, they had a formidable front line, to match the stellar back court of Jonesie and another new guard with a nice stroke. Add the lengthy other kid, and they looked as tough as they come during warm-ups.

OU was missing Dr. J Robinson, but suited up the other five regulars – and boy did they come to play. Leading the charge out of the gate was Danger Dan Fisher and Hogan. The first five minutes of the game started slowly for OU as all four players missed shots. OU finally made some headway however, and pulled even as Chris “Big” Johnson subbed into the game for the first time. The current OU MVP didn’t disappoint as he matched Dan on the defensive end, and simply outplayed him on the offensive end. Finishing the game well into the mid-20-point range, Johnson literally carried OU on his back for much of the game. A run by OU with five minutes left in the half helped them build a 10 point lead, with a spectacular Danger Dan drive and 12-foot pull-up from the baseline highlighting the run. But Chili’s recovered in the last minute knock down a big three and score the last five points heading into the half.

Tired, but optimistic, OU took the court in the second half only to lose the lead almost immediately. Some tough shots didn’t go down, and suddenly OU was down five points and holding on to a game that could have slipped away – but it didn’t. OU turned to Johnson yet again, and he delivered nearly every time down the court. After missing a few foul line jumpers, Johnson used a quick first step and great body control around the hoop to school Big Dan. Meanwhile, as Cap’n Mike and Danger Dan struggled on offense, Shu-ter Patel and Hogan also chipped in on both ends of the court.

As time wound down, and the game still tight, Danger Dan drove to the hole and scored a hard bucket on a sliding defender. After a Chili's bucket, they called a quick timeout and both teams saw the scoreboard at 69-66 in favor of Chili’s. There was some question as to what the score was, as most of the OU team thought that the Danger Dan drive was counted towards the wrong team. Order was restored, however, and OU lost the appeal, but the battle raged on.

The final few important plays started when Cap’n Mike made a mid range pull-up over a hard charging TJ, which cut the lead to one. And, after a defensive stop, Danger Dan was fouled hard on his way to the hoop, sending the veteran to the line with a chance to take the lead. Danger didn’t waiver and calmly buried both free throws. Chili’s once again couldn’t convert on their next possession, and fouled Cap’n Mike on his way up the court. Cap’n also made both free throws with under a minute to play, and finally OU had a minimal amount (three points) of breathing room. It didn’t last long as Chili’s scored immediately, and then forced a turnover to get the ball back. TJ once again drove and got to the line where he made both free throws and again gave Chili’s the one-point lead with about 15 seconds to play.

The final sequence was a bit hectic as Cap’n Mike passed out of a double team to Hogan, and immediately found himself calling for the ball back when seeing Big Dan guarding him in a major mismatch. Cap’n Mike made a head-fake and drove on the big fella, only to have his original defender collapse on him immediately. Trying to execute a play that Cap’n Mike and Hogan had done HUNDREDS of times over the years, Cap’n dropped a pass to Stretch – but it was just out of his reach. Luckily, the ball bounced to the ever-ready Johnson who turned and shot a fall-away jumper with four seconds left. The shot was short, but Hogan was perfectly positioned and collected the rebound. With one second left, Hogan calmly extended over the defender and stuck the put-back right before the buzzer to give OU the huge win. Nearly everyone in the gym was stunned, including the Chili's fan base, the refs and even the OU crew.

The win gives OU a 6-1 record on the session and ties them with the Hustlers at the top of the standings heading into a match up with the Warriors next week.

Cap’n Mike was 3-4 from the line, and is now 22-29 on the session.