LOUSERS

Reading, MA - The Hustlers looked more like Origins Unknown than Origins Unknown did last night in the Reading YMCA Fall Session Finals, running away with a 85-77 victory in front of a packed house. The final score didn't reflect the absolute thrashing that the Hustlers delivered for 80% of the game, at one point growing the lead to 32 in the second half before a late OU run made it respectable. It was, by all accounts, a dominant performance by the young Hustlers.

OU was without session MVP Chris "Big" Johnson, and the lack of the big fella hurt them on both ends of the court. The Hustlers came out firing, and their own center went to work on the OU crew on the low block. With a height advantage, and a quick first step, he kicked off the game with several straight buckets. Defensively, the Hustlers guards were suffocating Cap'n Mike and Danger Dan Fisher, giving up no easy shots. James "Stretch" Hogan IV and Shu-ter Patel were also having a difficult time around the hoop, as the younger Hustlers banged relentlessly. As OU struggled, the Hustlers managed to use their energy to knock down long range shots, or rebound the misses to get some demoralizing put backs.

For OU, nothing seemed to be working. The Hustlers forced ball-handling turnovers, passing turnovers and tough shots. Miraculously, OU kept the lead to only 14 heading into the half, but they were certainly on the ropes.

The second half started off like a horror movie for the OU guys. After an OU turnover on the first play, the Hustlers went on a 16-0 run which sucked the air out of any potential comeback. After the run, Dr. J Robinson did manage to string together some jumpers, which cut the lead to 20, with less than 10 minutes left. Finally playing like there was no tomorrow, OU pressured the Hustlers in the back court, and made a huge dent in the lead through some long range bombs by Cap'n Mike and some scrappiness by Hogan. Annoyingly, it would be too little too late. With 2 minutes left, an exhausted OU had the lead down to 7, but could get no closer.

With the win, the Hustlers hoist their first league championship trophy, and will be a challenging foe for everyone next session. OU will take a week off before getting back to business in the spring session. It is safe to say that the OU players will agonize over this loss until the ball is tipped once again.

The Original One Shining Moment