Saturday, August 7, 2010

D1 Sports 69 Lucky Seven 65

By Mark Carroll - Blog Coordinator

The final game of Friday night's playoff match-ups featured several big name stars as Josh Powell led Lucky Seven in their contest against Ryan Kelly and D1 Sports.

The pair of Duke teammates hooked up early as Andre Dawkins dished out an around-the-back pass to Kelly for a two-handed slam that was good for the first points of the game. Powell and Courtney Fells got a couple early buckets for Lucky Seven, but Marcus Fisher, who dropped 34 points D1 Sports' final regular season game, got his name in the box score with some first quarter baskets. Jared Johnson of D1 Sports took the ball to the rack for a lay-up and the final two points of the first quarter, as his team claimed a 20-13 lead after the first 10 minutes of play.

Powell shot well in the second quarter, scoring six points and going 4-4 from the free throw line. Kelly had answers, however, as he knocked down three free throws after being fouled behind the perimeter. Kelly scored five of his 22 points in the second quarter as D1 Sports held on to their lead, 31-25.

Fells, Powell and Gavin Grant each turned in solid performances in the third quarter, as the trio of former Wolfpackers reclaimed the lead for Lucky Seven. A three point play by Fells gave Lucky Seven their first lead of the half at 40-38, and they led by one going into the final quarter.

The game remained close throughout the final period and the outcome was not decided until the closing seconds. After Fells converted another old-fashioned three point play to bring Lucky Seven within two points, Fain drew a charge off Dawkins with 33.1 seconds left. Fells' jump hook with 21 seconds did not go down, but Lucky Seven had one last chance with 19 seconds remaining. Down by three, Grant brought the ball up court for Lucky Seven only to have it stolen by Dawkins at the top of the key. As a result, Dawkins laid in a breakaway finger roll to put the game out of doubt. D1 Sports earned a spot in the semifinals after defeating Lucky Seven, 69-65.

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