Randy Crosby scored 24 points and Jeremiah Davis added 19, as WHEELS put up 29 points in the fourth quarter to edge Murry Bergtraum 91-88 in the PSAL Manhattan Borough Semifinals in Washington Heights on Thursday night.
Behind Dior Davis, who scored a game-high 27 points, Murry Bergtraum held the lead for most of the game. Even after WHEELS pulled in front late in the third quarter, the Blazers closed the frame on a 7-2 run to take a 65-60 lead heading into the fourth.
End of 3rd Q: Murry Bergtraum 65 WHEELS 60 #PSALBoros #HSBB pic.twitter.com/3PsAwekOZi
— HS Box Scores NYC (@hsboxscoresnyc) February 13, 2020
WHEELS regained the lead at 74-73 on a pair of free throws by Justin Rosso with 5:08 to play, but Murry Bergtraum answered with a 6-0 run to pull back in front 79-74.
With Edwin Daniel Linares protecting the rim, WHEELS put together a series of key defensive stops and took the lead back at 83-82 on a pair of Crosby free throws with 2:08 remaining. Murry Bergtraum took what would be their last lead when Donnell Campbell put the Blazers back in front 84-83 on two free throws with 1:56 left, with WHEELS scoring the next four, taking an 87-84 lead on a Daniel Linares bucket in the paint with 1:01 left.
Key play down the stretch last night. With WHEELS ahead 87-85, Murry Bergtraum gets a tie up in the backcourt with 54.3 seconds left. Lead official calls a held ball, but the other official grants WHEELS a timeout called from the bench. WHEELS went on to win 91-88. #PSAL #HSBB pic.twitter.com/7KiQuaRaF2
— HS Box Scores NYC (@hsboxscoresnyc) February 14, 2020
A free throw by Dior Davis made it 87-85, and it looked like Murry Bergtraum would take possession with a chance to pull even when the Blazers caused a tie up in the backcourt with 54.3 ticks left. While the lead official called a held ball, the trail official granted WHEELS a timeout called from the bench, and the Wolves took an 89-85 lead after Jalen Sabino connected on two free throws awarded after a blocking foul on the ensuing possession.
WHEELS rallies in the 4th and edges Murry Bergtraum 91-88 to advance to the #PSAL Manhattan Boro Final on Saturday. #PSALBoros #HSBB pic.twitter.com/o3s5fiusrG
— HS Box Scores NYC (@hsboxscoresnyc) February 14, 2020
WHEELS left the door ajar by missing one of two free throws on each of their next two possessions, and, trailing 91-88, Murry Bergtraum still had a chance to tie the game with a 3-pointer, but the Blazers came up empty on their final trip.
The Wolves will face top-seeded Thurgood Marshall Academy in the Manhattan Borough final at 2:00 pm on Saturday at Uncommon Charter High School in Brooklyn. The Panthers defeated Manhattan Center 67-61 in the other semifinal on Thursday night.
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