Brookens Buzzer Beater Keys Bobcats Victory Over Golden Rams
The ball was up, the clock struck zero's and the Bryant & Stratton College men's basketball team earned a victory Saturday where they defeated the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Golden Rams 71-70 on the road after a buzzer beating...
WAUWATOSA, WI (November 24, 2018) - The ball was up, the clock struck zero's and the Bryant & Stratton College men's basketball team earned a victory Saturday defeating the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Golden Rams 71-70 on the road after a buzzer beating three from Bobcats guard, Justin Brookens, to win the game. The Bobcats improved to 4-1 on the season which includes a three game winning streak.
Floor general, Brookens, got hot early for the Bobcats as he scored eight of the team's first fifteen points which included two field goals from downtown.
Leading 15-11 with just over 12 minutes left in the half, recent Concordia St. Paul commit, Manny Jingco, knocked down a shot from long distance to strech the Bobcats lead to 18-11 which forced a Golden Rams timeout.
"We came out ready to play and jumped on them right away," Bobcats head coach Matt Majkrzak said. "We have been preaching 'energy and talking on defense' all week and the guys definitely responded to that challenge."
With just over two minutes remaining in the half, the Bobcats saw their momentum swing the other way as the Golden Rams cut the deficit to one trailing 31-30.
After multiple offensive possessions from both teams, it was Brookens yet again knocking down another three-point basket to give the Bobcats a 34-32 lead at halftime.
At the break, the Bobcats shot 38% from the field to the Golden Rams 45% but outrebounded them 21-17.
To start the second half, it was the Golden Rams who had the Bobcats on their heals as they got out to an early 10-4 run and took a 42-36 lead.
Struggling to get stops defensively, the Bobcats saw the deficit continue to rise as they trailed 59-44 midway through the half.
"Anoka made a great adjustment going zone defense on us to start the second half," Majkrzak said. "We were not ready for zone defense at that time and that's on me for not having us prepared. The zone definitely got us out of our rythem which made us struggle moving the ball and knocking down shots."
Searching for a much needed run, Brookens continued to carry the load as he put the Bobcats back within striking distance knocking down back-to-back shots from long distance to cut the deficit to six (55-61) with six minutes left on the clock.
With a little over one minute remaining and trailing 66-60, the Bobcats were in need of a late run and that is exactly what they did as they brought the match back to a one point game (66-65) with 30 seconds left in regulation.
After a few made free throws by the Golden Eagles, the Bobcats trailed by four with 20 seconds remaining.
Pushing the ball down the court, freshman guard, Demarco Collins, spotted up in the corner where he knocked down a three pointer to bring the Bobcats back within one.
Needing to foul, the Bobcats put the Golden Rams at the charity stripe with seconds remaining.
Knocking down one of two from the line, the Golden Ealges went up 70-68 with the clock showing 10 seconds.
Trailing by two and the clock dwindling down from 10 seconds, Brookens let one go from 22 feet with the clock at zero's and sunk it to give the Bobcats an astonishing 71-70 win.
"Justin is our engine," Majkrzak said. "He makes our team go and he did a great job of keeping us within striking distance throughout the game."
Although, the last play of the game was not exactly what Majkrzak had drawn up, coming away with the win against a talented Anoka-Ramsey team is plenty to ask for.
"Drawing up a play at the end of a game is great but I think the best play in these situations is to put the ball in a high calibre playmaker hands and let him bring us home," Majkrzak said. "Justin has proven he has the ability to do just that."
Leading the way for the Bobcats was Brookens with 25 points followed by Jingco with 16.
The Bobcats shot 39% from the field and 12/12 from the free throw line.
UP NEXT:
Bryant & Stratton will continue their road trip as they travel to Madison College on Wednesday evening where they will look for revenge this time around. The Bobcats lost to Madison at home last season in a close battle 88-85.
Tip-off will take place at 7:30pm.
Spectators can view the game live on the OFFICIAL YOUTUBE CHANNEL