OU Dogged In Ugly Loss

Reading, MA - Origins Unknown dropped their second straight game in the winter session Thursday night, losing 68-64 to a re-shaped and re-named Basket Brawlers team. The game was hard-fought, but OU took the Brawlers best punches and came up just short at the end.

The Brawlers are last sessions Free Agents team, with three stellar additions to the roster. To put the improvement in context, OU beat the Free Agents 103-59 in their last match up. This Brawlers team was much different, however. While they still suited up a couple back-yard legends, they also added two younger athletic guard/forwards, as well as a big man who had the night of his life shooting the ball.

For the second time, OU was able to get the entire team together for the game, and the first half showed some encouraging signs as their ball movement and energy was up to task. Cap'n Mike started off the game with one of the best 10-minute stretches of his YMCA league career hitting his first four or five shots, including three "and 1s" - one of which was a four point play. The rest of OU was playing much better team basketball as well. Danger Dan Fisher was able to create space on the drive and find an open James "Stretch" Hogan IV cutting when defenders attempted to help out. Even with some missed shots here and there towards the end of the half, OU was able to stay slightly ahead of the Brawlers. The Brawlers were leaning heavily on a younger slasher and their big man to keep the game tight. The big man was absolutely unconscious from the floor, hitting all-types of shots, including a end-of-the-half fade-away from the foul line.

As seems to be the trend in the last few games, OU slowly started to sputter once the second half got underway. Whether it is fatigue, or just bad luck, the crisp passing and movement stopped, and baskets became harder and harder to come by. On top of this, OU wasn't getting many calls and the Brawlers were in the double bonus with 10 minutes left to play. The frustration continued as OU started turning the ball over in uncharacteristic situations, giving the brawlers a small cushion. Down six with under 1:15 left, OU had a chance when Shu-ter Patel hit a long three to cut the lead in half. OU fouled with under a minute left and the Brawlers missed the free throws. OU came down with a chance to inch closer but an errant three missed and they were once again forced to foul. The Brawlers missed their free throws yet again, and Cap'n Mike drove and got fouled hard slashing across the baseline. Unforgivably, he missed BOTH free throws (after making all four previous chances). The Brawlers big man corralled the ball, and was fouled where he calmly made the free throws, building the lead back to five. Cap'n Mike drove quickly down the court and hit a lay-up, but after another made free throw, it was too little too late.

The loss drops OU to 2-2 on the session with an upcoming game against Intervale.