TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In one of the most colossal meltdowns in intramural basketball history, the 60th Services Squadron blew a ten-point second half lead, yet somehow managed to salvage a victory from the chaos, defeating the 573rd Global Support Squadron's G-Unit 47-43, Jan.22.
"After we lost the lead, we knew we had to do something different on defense," said Eric Masbad, SVS' point guard.
With ten minutes left in the second half, SVS led 36-26.
With aggressive defense and precise shooting, G-Unit point guard, Justin Giovannettone and small forward, Mark Esquer, led their team on a 14-4 run, capped off by a Esquer's spectacular three-point shot over Kyle Krieman, 60th SVS small forward.
The run gave G-Unit its first lead of the game, 41-40, with four minutes to play.
After taking a 43-40 lead, G-Unit's shooting guard, DeQuan Barthell, made a crucial error, fouling Krieman, sending him to the free-throw line.
Krieman, made both free throws, making the score 43-42 and putting SVS in a position to take the lead.
SVS took advantage on their next possession when Krieman hit a wide-open, 20-foot three-pointer, giving SVS a 45-43 lead.
SVS' power forward, Aaronn Spencer, however, nearly cost his team the lead on the very next play, when his foul on Esquer sent the G-Unit' leading scorer to the free-throw line with 30 seconds to play.
Esquer, who was 2-3 from the foul line, couldn't take advantage and missed both free throws.
SVS' small forward, David Mack, grabbed the rebound, passed it to Masbad, who then found Henry Arnold, SVS' center, under the basket.
Arnold, like a seasoned basketball veteran, instinctively paused, then got enough space between him and Giovannettone to do his best Kareem Abdul-Jabber impression, hitting a two-point skyhook over Giovannettone, increasing SVS's lead to 47-43.
The G-Unit had one last chance to get within two points, but Esquer's three-point shot fell just short of the goal, allowing SVS to escape with a four-point victory.
"Our guys did a good job," said Oscar Vaughn, SVS coach. "Most of our team are just getting back from a deployment and have had no practice time to build team chemistry. We weren't as prepared for this game as we could have been, but the guys showed great hustle and intensity, did their best, and got the win. As the season progresses we will be more prepared and ready to play so we don't squander all the hard work we went through to get a large lead."
In other action, the financial wizards from the 60th Comptroller Squadron rejected the 60th Communications Squadron's request for a victory, defeating them 43-36 and the 60th Operations Support Squadron put the 60th Medical Support Squadron on life support with a 44-28 victory.
The season continues Jan. 30 as the Killer B's from the 615th Contingency Response Wing battle the 60th Medical Operations Squadron. The 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron looks to maintain a decent season when they take on the Aerial Porters from the 60th Aerial Port Squadron and the 60th Logistic Readiness Squadron's Log Dawgs will try to take out the 60th Equipment Maintenance Squadron.
Games are subject to change. For up-to-date information, contact the Fitness Center at 424-2008.