In a game where neither team led by more than three points in the second half , Madison (WI) Memorial pulled off a 45-43 quarterfinal victory over Bishop O’Connell (VA) at the 2013 Beach Ball Classic.
Madison Memorial (7-1) never trailed and led by as many as nine points in the opening half but held just a slim 25-23 edge at the break. That two point lead would prove to be the difference as the second half could not have been played closer. In addition to neither team being able to gain a lead larger than three points, the lead changed hands eight times and there were five ties.
Romelo Trimble opened the scoring in the second half exactly one-minute into play as he connected on a pair of free throws to pull the game even at 25-25 for Bishop O’Connell (6-4). The game continued to go back and forth and the score was tied one final time at 42-42 with 35 seconds remaining to play on the first of two free throws by Trimble. He then hit the second of his two free throws to give Bishop O’Connell a 43-42 advantage.
On the ensuing Madison Memorial possession, the Spartans pounded the offensive boards as they secured three missed shot. The final offensive board was tipped back through the nets by Darral Walls to give Madison Memorial a 44-43 lead with just 1seconds remaining. Walls was fouled on the tip-in and connected on the free throw to stretch the lead to two points. Ako Adams missed a 3-point shot from the corner for Bishop O’Connell, but the Knights were given another life with six seconds remaining when Reggie Roemer missed a pair of free throws for the Spartans.
Trimble drove the ball down the court with the clock winding toward zero and launched a 3-point basket just before the buzzer. The shot was partially blocked by Daurice Fountain to secure the win for Madison Memorial.
Willis led Madison Memorial with 12 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots. Trimbel led all scorers to pace Bishop O’Connell with 21 points.
