LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The 633d Medical Group team defeated the 735th Supply Chain Management Group squad 48-27 in intramural basketball action Jan. 7 at the Shellbank Fitness Center courts.
The MDG team dominated the game from the beginning, using physicality and fundamentals to overpower a mostly smaller, spry SCMG team. Power forwards led the charge for the MDG, powering inside the paint and delivering crushing two-point dunks.
The SCMG team attempted a comeback assault using speed and shooting, snaking in and out of larger defenders and attempting three-pointers from the edge. However, the taller MDG defenders were able to counteract the aerial attack, maximizing rebounds and long-court passing to open forwards for easy two-point scores.
Dallas Mason, 735th SCMG, shot consistently from the corner on three-point attempts and in free throws. Mason scrapped with MDG defenders for ball control, going to the floor on several occasions and drawing fouls.
At halftime, the 735th SCMG trailed 22-15. Despite an attempted second-half rally, the SCMG couldn't close the gap to catch up to the MDG's commanding lead.
Referees ended the game because of the mercy rule, implemented when a team gains a 20-point lead over their opponent, with one minute, forty seconds on the clock.
Center DeMario Daniels, 633 MDG, denied that physical stature was the key to the game, attributing the team's victory to solid fundamentals and teamwork.
"We played team basketball out there, and that's what wins games," he said. "Size doesn't mean a thing if you can't play as a unit."