The AIS Men’s team went down in a heart breaker today to the older and more fancied USA team in game 2 of their 3 game tournament in Zunyi China. The Institute chased down a 17 point lead with 4 minutes remaining in the game, with up and coming point guard Dante Exum finding nothing but net on a deep 3 point buzzer beater to send the game into overtime.

The game was a real tussle in the first half, with the Institute just holding out the Americans to finish with a one point lead at both quarter time and half time. In the third quarter the USA drew away, capitalising on some costly turnovers by the AISs. The Americans also started to get going from the 3 point line hitting 5 for the quarter and outscoring the Institute 33-19 on their way to establishing a 13 point lead.

The lead grew to as much as 17 late in the fourth quarter, when with 4 minutes to go coach Ian Stacker sensing fatigue starting to set in on the USA roster, asked for 4 minutes of all-out effort. The lead quickly evaporated to 11 and then to 5 as Brandon Brine and Tyler Hickert both started to get going inside, and Dante Exum began creating havoc coming off screens. The Institute had turned the tables on the Americans, now forcing turnovers and turning them into easy conversions at the other end. With 13 seconds left in the game, the Institute now only down 1 were forced to foul the Americans and send them to the line. With two makes the lead was pushed out to 3, giving the Institute one chance to send the game into overtime.

Exum coming off a screen penetrated the USA defence kicking the ball out to Richmond who faked and got it back to Exum for the final shot of the game. The pro-AIS crowd went crazy as Exum’s shot found the bottom of the net just as time expired.

Unfortunately for the Institute they were not able to complete the fairy tale ending as the USA team got the better of the overtime period and were able to close out the game by 4 points. The overtime period however saw more heroics from Exum, as he continued to get to the basket, as well as sinking another big-time 3 on his way to a game high 34 points. Brandon Brine was also outstanding for the Institute finishing with 18 points, 7 rebounds, as was Tyler Hickert who finished with 14 and 9.

Despite the loss, the Institute now go into the remainder of the tour full of confidence knowing that they can definitely mix it up with both the Chinese and USA contingents. 

Mathew Neason, Scholarship Coach