Stephen O’Reily scored 15 of his game high 24 points in the fourth quarter Saturday night to lead Legacy to a 93-88 victory over the Lakers, forcing a decisive third game in their best two-of-three New Breed basketball Association playoff series.
The teams, two of the more evenly matched in the league, played hard from the onset, but it was Legacy, facing elimination, that seemed to want it just a wee bit more.
Both teams appeared a little tight in the opening moments of the game played at the Educational Complex. In the first quarter they both missed on some fairly easy baskets. In the end it was the Lakers, with a balanced attack, who had the 20-17 edge at the end of the period.
In the second quarter Legacy picked up its defensive intensity and point guards Stephen O’Reily and Joelfree Polanco took the attack to the Lakers. Polanco scorched the nets for nine points while O’Reily knocked down seven to lead Legacy to a 26-15 second quarter and an eight point lead at intermission, 43-35.
The Lakers battled back in the third period, getting to within one point of the lead at 62-61near the end of the quarter but a 4-1 run gave Legacy a four point edge at 66-62 heading into the fourth. The Lakers third quarter charge was led by Rashawn Williams, who exploded for 14 points in the period. Leandre Arrindel helped to hold off the Lakers with 11 points for Legacy.
Legacy opened the fourth on a 7-2 run and looked like they were ready to put the game away as they then led 73-64, but the Lakers responded with a 7-0 run and just like that they were within two points of the lead again at 73-71. Legacy then hit back with an 8-0 run, highlighted by a three-point play from O’Reily, to open up a 10-point lead at 81-71 with 5:10 left in the game.
However, in what was now becoming a game of streaks, back came the Lakers. They outscored Legacy 11-4 and after a short jumper by Robert Duck were within three points of the lead at 85-82 with 2:45 on the game clock.
But that would be as close as they would get, because Legacy was not going to be denied. Or more to the point, O’Reily was not going to let his team lose. He literally took over the game, scoring or setting up a teammate for a score, and Legacy would go on to close out the game, outscoring the Lakers 8-6 down the stretch for a 93-88 victory.
O’Reily was also perfect from the charity stripe, going 6 for 6 on his way to 15 fourth quarter points. He led five Legacy players in double digits with a game-high 24 points. He got good support from Bobby Evans who knocked down 15, Polanco with 13, and Sean Tutein and Arrindell with 12 each. For the Lakers it was Williams leading four players in double digits with 23 points, Duck netting 20, and Shane Hodge and Jerome Nathaniel both knocking down 15.
The NBBA action continues Monday night at 7:15 p.m. at the Complex.
