Looking to push further up the ladder, the Griffins needed to make a statement against league leaders Torrens Valley. With late inclusion Brian Ho and making his season debut the “big fantastic” Adam TJ Turrell, the Grifs had bolstered the frontline and their backcourt. The Cougars were trotting out their ex-2s squad but the Grifs had obvious mismatches and advantages in height and looks, so it promised to be an eventful game. Kel, Scotty, Chris, Tobes and Jay hit the court, while Robbo and B got sandwiched on the bench between the defensive line that is Wens and TJ. Game on!

1st Quarter:

The Grifs started patiently, working their flex offense and passing the ball around the perimeter finding the open man. Scotty carried on his hot-shooting, nailing the first jumper of the game. Kel hit another jumper and Jay missed four straight freethrows and the Cougars pounced to an early lead, thanks to some questionable officiating. Jay hit a put-back two, then was credited a three pointer from someone… Chris maybe? Scoresheet don’t lie. In between putting up 30 points on the regular, Jay is developing a habit of nicking his teamamtes baskets. Ask Tobes who was credited his first AUBC donut a few weeks back. Forget beer, gotta protect your baskets better, fellas. Jay’s a ninja. Brian marked his comeback from injury with a defiant drive into the teeth of the Cougars defence, hitting the runner off glass before the Cougars hit a few shots from deep, and they took the quarter 14-11. Jay ‘led’ scorers with a questionable 5 points.

2nd Quarter:

The see-sawing affair continued, with neither side giving away an inch. Looking over at the show court, it looked as thought the Griffins were up by a few, 30-17, but assuming Jesse Voyer would soon break the “Jesse Voyer doesn’t get to shoot” rule, it was a safe bet that Norwood would fight back. Back on our court, Jay was putting in work like a cheap escort on a friday night – getting in the paint, going hammer and tongs, and getting thrown/pushed/forced into positions where he’d struggle to score. Still, Jay dropped in a quickfire 4, including a strong putback where a Cougar had him in a headlock – no call – and the Grifs had taken the lead. The Grifs were making strides in transition; Kel side-stepped on the break for two, Chris finished strong off of Scotty’s penetration, and Toby showed strength at both ends putting in four points for the quarter as well as murdering a guy’s shot into the back wall. The Grifs took the quarter 12-11, and trailed by two at the main break 25-23. Jay led scorers with 9, while Toby and Kel had 4 each.

3rd Quarter:

Third quarter: Championship Quarter. And the Griffins played like champions. An even scoring spread, with every Girffin bar Robbo contributing on the scoresheet in the quarter shifted themomentum of the game, giving control to the Griffins, and setting up the clinching final quarter. the Big Fantastic (TJ) went into the post, drawing fouls and making his defender look a bit silly. When he wasn’t scoring, Big Fantastic was dishing, diming Kel for an easy reverse. Toby pulled a post move out of the Kevin McHale playbook and finished pretty off glass. Time-out, Cougars. With instruction to attack the pick and roll, Scotty dimed Wens for an easy deuce, then when the defence sagged, Scotty drove the lane and rough’n'tumbled an and-1 layup in, converting the free throw. Chris hit a crazy jumpshot leaning left while fading right, and Jay brought out the Magic Johnson foul line hook shot, and the Grifs had a strong and steady lead going into the last quarter. The Grifs took the quarter 17-11, paced by Jay’s 11 and Toby’s 6, and led 40-36.

4th Quarter:

The Cougars made run after run at the Grifs, but someone would step up and hit a big shot. Big Fantastic nailed a arcing three, Jay got to the line and made the freebies, Scotty hit yet another jumper from the corner, then Brian hit essentially the dagger – a knucklepuck three from the corner – “it’s knucklepuck time!” Chris put in another triple, Jay went a big and-1 and the Cougars were forced to foul to salvage the game. There were 17 fouls called in the final quarter. Big Fantastic was clutch at the stripe, and, no kidding, Jay was credited with another three pointer. I’m just saying, like, it’s MY WIFE on the scoresheet – surely any ambiguous points are going to number 40. Serious domestic issues will arise from this. The Grifs held off the Cougars last ditch attempts and took the quarter 22-21, and the match 62-57.

FINAL SCORE:

Adelaide University 2 def Torrens Valley 62-57 (Jay 19; Big Fantastic 11; Scotty 7; Chris, Kel, Toby 6; Brian 5; Wens 2; Robbo 0)

Notes:

I’m pretty sure Robbo hit a three… but sportingpulse has you down for two straight donuts Rob. Tough…

Did Jay really hit two threes? Did I miss part of the game? I know I was coughing and practically dying on the bench, but two 3s? Can someone fill me in? I’m not saying Jay’s not a good shooter, but, damn… if you can get it, flaunt it…

Thanks to Tuz (Andrew) and Hayley for spectating, and Dani and Johanna for scoring (Cos Scotty’s mum has got it going on…)

Thanks to Phil for coaching and the ace post-game team huddle. True Kanye West style – Now, check it out, I’ma let you finish… but…”

Great first game from The Big Fantastic, and belated congratulations on your first child. Right out of the loop on that one…

Both Uni teams won, which was a fairly good reusult, considering the stadium.

The Grifs hit four 3s and went 9/17 (53%) from the charity stripe. Better than last week, but can still improve.