Wednesday night saw a handful of intramural basketball games take place in the Student Recreation Center. Tensions ran high as semi-final games were underway and win-or-go-home implications were felt by both players and spectators.

Game This Week vs. TeamLegends

A close, physical battle was seen in the men’s division between Game This Week and TeamLegends, which resulted in a 49-45 victory by Game This Week.

Both teams were trading fouls back and forth from beginning to end. Kyle Moomaw, a senior finance major, and member of Game This Week, said his team’s speed helped make up for its lack of size.

“They were tough and they played pretty physical, but they were bigger than us, so our speed helped out quite a bit,” he said.

Several stoppages by referees were required to settle players and spectators.

As for the game on the court, it was just as intense, with both teams utilizing the three-point line. 

James Jansen, a freshman business management major, and member of Game This Week said that his team carried over the momentum from their last few games to help them continue draining threes from behind the arch.

Another key part of Game This Week’s game was their fast break offense.

“We knew that they were a quick team. We wanted to push it with them so we could get it up and down. We had good defense in the first half, which caused some steals that we were able to push up the offensive floor to help give us a lead,” Jansen said,

As time wound down the pressure rose, and late game threes weren’t enough for TeamLegends. After multiple free throws, Game This Week escaped with a 49-45 win.

Lil’ Monsters vs. Supernatural

A seven point lead at halftime resulted in a 17 point win by Lil’ Monsters over Supernatural in the women’s division.

The low scoring affair between these two teams was credited to tough defense that led to a halftime score of 23-15 in favor of Lil’ Monsters.

It was a different story in the second half, as Lil’s Monsters upped their pressure to force Supernatural to miss shots and cause turnovers.

The team’s hustle and conditioning allowed Lil’ Monsters to win the rebounding battle by a large margin. Nia Williams, freshman undecided major, and Lil’ Monsters’ player, said they try to enjoy themselves first and foremost.

“Our gameplan is always just to have fun,” Williams said. “We all love to play basketball, so we just want to have fun and work as a team.”

Having fun seems to be the right formula, as Lil’ Monsters now find themselves in the women’s hall finals game.

Anthony Catezone can be reached at 581-7942 or ajcatezone@eiu.edu.