FORT BENNING, Ga., (Dec. 17, 2014) -- 75th Regimental Special Troops Battalion moved one step closer to a Commander's Cup preseason basketball title Dec. 15 by defeating Medical Department Activity 46-39 in a semifinal matchup at Smith Fitness Center.
The Rangers took an early 11-point lead and traded baskets with MEDDAC throughout the first half before closing out the half with a 12-point lead.
While the Rangers shot 50 percent from the free-throw line, Brandon Webber, Britlon Welch, Scott Ford and Alex Makinano all knocked down 3-pointers to send the Rangers into the half leading 28-16.
MEDDAC came out firing on all cylinders in the first 12 minutes of the second half by controlling the boards and scoring 18 consecutive points with Brandon Sparks leading the team back with two 3-pointers, a basket from the field and going three-for four from the foul line.
Trailing 36-32, the Rangers mounted a comeback.
Offensively, the Rangers put up 12 unanswered points to take a 44-36 lead while the defense held MEDDAC scoreless until seven seconds left in the game. The Rangers added two more free throws in the waning seconds to close out the comeback with a 46-39 win to move into the championship game, which is being played at press time.
Head coach Kyle Volle said there were many factors that contributed to the win.
"We always tell the guys to work hard, we have a great work ethic across the group and we have some depth, so we can sub in five-for-five," he said. "We keep people fresh and we're always hustling to get the ball and make the play … that's really what we're about."
Volle said while the team got off to a quick start, the team dropped off a bit to begin the second half, but rebounded.
"I think sometimes we slow things down and we had the halftime break … so, I think that kind of made us a little cold," he said. "We subbed in a couple of key players at the end of the first half, so we came back out with our starting five and I think they were just a little bit cold. But, basketball is a game all about momentum and we just had to get the momentum back."
The Rangers not only got their momentum back, but ended the game on a scoring spree, which Volle said came from getting his key players going.
"No. 3 (Makinano) and No. 22, our big man (Jerimiah) Johnson … when they get real active our guys gravitate to that … when things get tough, that's what we do … we stick together and come through," Volle said.
Going forward into the championship game, Volle said the team will work on getting more proficient at boxing out to help with getting more rebounds.
"We're short and only have one guy with height," he said. "That's something we're definitely going to work on … just boxing out and getting a body on people."
At press time, the 75th RSTB is taking on 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, at Smith Fitness Center. For the complete story, see the first edition of the Bayonet & Saber Jan. 7.
75th RSTB-MEDDAC
75th RSTB (46)
Makinano (15), Johnson (11), Webber (5), Clark (5), Welch (4), Ford (3), Devries (2), Volle (1).
MEDDAC (39)
Sparks (19), Gibbons (5), Nguyen (4), White (4), John (3), Solomon (2), Vargas (2).
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