MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Shaquille O'Neal recently said "one lucky shot deserves another one." This quote could have summed up the June 1 matchup between the Provost Marshals Office and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12.
Fans witnessed MALS-12 guard Ricky Brook's three-point shot bank off the backboard and tie the game at 52. With 3.1 seconds left, PMO's point guard Benjamin Akins pushed the ball up court and matched the previous shot by banking a running three to give PMO the win.
PMO and MALS-12, both undefeated, went head to head in the Over 30 Intramural Basketball League game at the Ironworks Gym.
"Our strategy coming into the game was to run as much as possible, and give the ball to our big guys inside," said Dean Lazarou, MALS-12 coach.
PMO shooting guard Robert H. Thomas, opened the game with a pair of threes and a jumper, which jump started his team to an 11-3 lead. After the quick start, both teams struggled to score.
"Free throws plagued us in the beginning," said Lazarou. "We just couldn't make any of our free throws, which enabled them to maintain their lead. We counted on our team defense to help bring us back in the game."
Despite the rough start, good defense and a collective team effort helped rally MALS-12 to within two points off the lead after being down 11 in the opening minutes.
"Coming into the game, we thought we could out run them and get them tired," said Akins. "But the strategy didn't work and with our shots not falling, that kept them in the game."
However, six minutes into the first half, MALS-12's run ended when Akins buried a pull-up three to try and bring the momentum back to PMO's favor.
Despite the clutch three, MALS-12 continued their surge into the end of the first half. Akins hit a buzzer beating jump shot to hand PMO the 24-23 lead.
The second half started the same way the first ended, as Akins knocked down outside shots to increase his team's lead.
A good defensive battle plagued both teams with countless fouls while good team offense and defense kept the game competitive.
After back and forth scoring, MALS-12 managed to take a one-point lead for the first time after two bad plays led to two easy layups.
Thomas came through with yet another three to break the tie and give PMO a 46-43 lead.
The closing minutes of the game was injected with emotion as PMO coach Randy Blanche was ejected from the game. Two quick technicals were called for harassing the officials on what Blanche thought was a bad call. The two technicals allowed MALS-12 to shoot four free throws and maintain possession.
MALS-12 power forward Dale Dudley, made two of the four free throws. After the inbound an additional jump shot was made, giving them a 47-46 lead.
A couple more baskets and the stage was set for the miracle ending that saw Akins run down the length of the court, kissing a three off the backboard.
"This wasn't the first time I have done this," said Akins. "I knew I could get the ball up the floor in three seconds. All I needed was just a good look for it to fall. When I jumped I knew I had to put it up soft against the backboard in order for it to fall."