Blog with Bryan Smithson

It was great being back in uniform and not in a tie for the game on Saturday afternoon.  And what a game to come back to !! This had to have been one of the most exciting college basketball games in the nation yesterday.  We started out pretty quick and grabbed an 8-2 lead in the first couple minutes.  They made their way back and actually took as much as a 14 point lead with 2 minutes to go in the first half.  I was able to hit a three pointer, I got a steal for a lay-up, and drove to the basket and got fouled at the buzzer for 2 successful free throws.  This cut the lead to 37-32 at half time.  We started the 2nd half off good and took the lead after a couple minutes of play.  There were several lead changes all the way down to the last second of regulation.  Both of us had a chance with 1 second left to win the game and both teams were unsuccessful.  In overtime, we took a 5 point lead with 2 minutes left but they hit a three and cut the lead to 2.  We went up 4 and they cut it to 2 with a mid range jumper.  This is where things got interesting.  They gave their point guard the ball and isolated him and i at the top of the key, he attempted to drive me to the basket but i beat him to the spot and he pushed off which resulted in a charge.  9 seconds left on the clock and our guy traveled on the inbounds pass (ran the baseline).  They ran a successful baseline out play and laid it in the goal.  Tie game ! 6seconds left.  We then turned the ball over again on the inbounds pass and they laid it in the goal  - 1 second left. Down 2.  No timeouts so we heaved a half courter that fell short.  I have never been so heartbroken after a regular season loss as I was with this one because we had the game won and we gave it away.  However, it is important for us to learn from our mistakes and make improvements.  We have a lot of room to improve and this is one of those unfortunate things that had to happen in order for us to clean up the little things before we get into the meat of our schedule.  I would have rather won and learned another way though ! The most important thing right now is getting ready for our next game on Tuesday vs. Tusculum college.

AS for my injury-- It took me a couple minutes to get in the flow of the game and to get used to the wrap I had (on my shooting hand).  After those few minutes I was back to normal and didn't even think about my wound.  Although, I am sore today. I will be keeping a close eye on my hand to make sure everything is right and it keeps improving and healing.  I also want to recognize what a great job KJ has been doing for our team especially during the time of my absence.  He hit some big shots for us all game on Saturday