East Coast vs. West Coast @ Nike EYBL

BROOKLYN, NY - The much anticipated matchup between the PSA Cardinals and California Supreme highlighted the opening day of the EYBL Session One. The physical barn burner at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal would go down to the wire with the Cardinals pulling out a 69-68 win.

The PSA Cardinals gained the upper hand early in the contest. Brandon Randolph ‘17 (17 points) soon gave the Cardinals a 12-8 lead. Ethan Thompson ‘17 (19 points, 5 rebounds & 5 assists) closed gap for Cal Supreme from the perimeter. Jordan Schakel ‘17 (13 points) shifted the momentum, putting Cal Supreme up causing Cardinals head coach Terrence "Munch" Williams to call a full time out with 11:14 left in half to steady his ship.

With 9 minutes left in the first half, Deandre Ayton (7 points & 9 rebounds) added on to lead and suddenly Cal Supreme was ahead 25-19. Thompson fell in love with the left corner extending the Supremes' lead to 11 points before Quade Green ‘17 (17 points & 10 assists) finally scored for PSA and at least slowed down the bleeding.

Green continued to provide a spark for Cardinals who still trailed by eight with 5:30. Walter Whyte ‘17 (8 points) cut the Cal Supreme lead to 6 but west coast team pushed back.

Mohamed Bamba ‘17 (13 points & 12 rebounds) began to impose his will in the paint and with 3:37, PSA was again within six at 35-28.

Cal Supreme was relentless and pushed their advantage back to double digits but with under 2 minutes Cole Anthony ‘19 (5 points) got the PSA deficit down to 4. At the 1 minute mark Randolph netted a trey to pull the Cardinals to within a two point of taking the lead.

Solid defense late by the Cardinals allowed them to only trail, 37-36 at the midway point.

Anthony went down and out early in the half with what Coach Williams described as a slight knee tweak. "He's a kid that should be the face of our program in the coming year," said Williams who said he sat him for the rest of the game as a precautionary measure.

The PSA Cardinals marched on and at the 13:16 mark, Bamba and Hasahn French ‘17 (8 points & 3 rebounds) gave PSA a 44-40 advantage. Cal Supreme was forced to take a timeout to regroup. Supreme tried to counter but Najja Hunter ‘17 (3 points & 2 rebounds) promptly drained a three-ball and Cardinals remained ahead by 4 points with 11:57 left to play.

Turnovers began to plague the Cal Supreme until Brandon McCoy ‘17 (17 points & 6 rebounds) and Thompson finally closed the California team's deficit to a point with 10:20..

Both teams traded buckets as the end drew nearer and nearer until Cassius Stanley ‘19 (6 points & 5 assists) put the Supreme back up 52-51. Green swished a fade away as the lead changed hands down the stretch.

Cal Supreme led 55-53 as 6'7" Justin Sueing ‘17 (3 points) slam dunked an and1. It appeared that the CA team was peaking at just the right time. McCoy extends Cal's lead but French and Bamba combined to eventually put the PSA Cardinals out in front 58-57 with 6:48.

Six minutes remained and the teams were knotted at 60. Bamba quickly scored a hook shot after a time out but McCoy countered from the foul line. It would be a chess match with both teams tied again at 62 at the four minute mark.

An offensive foul on Ayton gave the Cardinals possession with a chance to break the tie. Whyte did just that off an assist from Green.

The score was unchanged until Schakel drew a foul to tie the game again at 64 with 2 minutes left in regulation. Green severed the tie drawing a foul. Ayton got to the line but missed a free-throw giving PSA a 66-65 lead with a minute on the clock.

Green extended the lead but with 22 second but Bamba was called for a foul as he stuffed Ayton. The 'ball don't lie rule' applied as Ayton missed the free throw.

Supreme was forced to foul with 19.7 seconds remainming in the hour glass. Bamba went 1 of two and Stanley scored quickly. PSA was still up 69-68 with 8.8 seconds.

Cal Supreme fouled Randolph who then missed the free-throw but a turnover made the flaw at the charity stripe a wash. The PSA Cardinals wanted it more and held on for a one point victory.

Green did an excellent job running the team at the point guard position according to Coach Williams but the rising senior confessed that he wasn't sure that the Cardinal would pull off the win. Even though he knew his team had to get stops and score, Green admitted "The last five minute I was [worried]." Fortunately Cal Supreme turnovers helped to secure the win.

"I think it was a huge day for our city and a great day for our program to get this win," said Coach Williams.