MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- Marine Corps Air Facility intramural basketball team faced off against the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group team at the Barber Physical Fitness Center on Monday. MCAF stayed ahead of MCESG for the entire game and won, 49-36.
Both teams started the game sloppily, swatting at rebounds, reaching for passes and turning the ball over. MCAF was the first to pick up their game offensively, taking a 7-0 lead.
MCESG tried to score, using screens and offensive plays, but MCAF’s fast-paced game left MCESG winded and flustered. MCESG had a hard time in the first half keeping up with their man to man defense.
With eight minutes left in the first half, MCAF had the lead 15-3, when they decided to change their strategy.
“Keep the ball moving,” said James Mason, head coach, MCAF. “Get to the rack and make them foul you.”
The strategy worked. MCESG began to foul MCAF putting them on the line and helping them to gain a stronger lead before the end of the first half. MCAF led, 28-12.
“Everyone is being too nonchalant,” said Craig Holland, player, MCESG. “We have to go to the ball; we can’t just stand still on offense.”
MCESG didn’t lose their fight in the second half. They came back with a vengeance, trying to score as many points as possible. MCAF helped them to score after multiple failed attempts of lobbing the ball to a waiting player who wasn’t able to make layups.
With seven minutes left in the second half, both teams were able to bump up their score with MCAF still in the lead, 37-28.
Even with adjustments and hard play, MCESG wasn’t able to get within 10 points of MCAF who won, 49-36.
“It was really just an off day for us,” said Halim Allman, player, MCESG. “We could have played a lot better and we normally do.”
With it being early in the season, MCESG still has plenty of time to redeem themselves. MCESG will be back on the court Feb. 23.