T'Wolves Get First Win of the Season in Finale

The Timberwolves, with the league’s worst defense, (allowing 49.7 ppg) won their first game of the season in a finale against the league’s best offense, the Bulls (45.3 ppg). The Timberwolves, down 22-16 at halftime, came back and scored 28 points in the second half to win 44-43. For the second straight game, the Bulls missed a last second shot in the final seconds, falling to 5-2. With the score at 44-43, Bulls’ junior Tyler Pruden was fouled with 2.0 seconds left, and made his first foul shot. However, he missed his second and the Timberwolves got the rebound but lost the ball with 0.1 seconds remaining. The Bulls had a chance on the inbound with 0.1 seconds left, but Tyler Pruden missed the last second tip in, giving the Timberwolves their first win of the season.

The game started off as expected, with the Bulls lead by senior Stevenson Bone jumping out to an early lead, and they lead 22-11 at one point in the first half. However, the Timberwolves stayed in the game with key baskets from junior Mason Barron and senior Sean Gill, who scored six points apiece in the first half.

After halftime, the Timberwolves league leading scorer junior Graham Hotchkiss caught fire, drawing oohs and aahs from the crowd, using his full arsenal of scoring weapons from lay-ups to mid range jump-shots to three-points shots, seeming to be unable to miss. Hotchkiss and senior point guard Reilly Harmer lead the Timberwolves to a 44-37 lead with just four minutes left on the clock. However, the Bulls were rejuvenated by a three- point play by Stevenson Bone, and caught up to make the score 44-43… only to have the Timberwolves hold on to win. Stevenson Bone led the Bulls with 15 points, and junior Tommy Farren backed him up with a solid 10-point game. Graham Hotchkiss led the Timberwolves with 21 points, while Reilly Harmer, Sean Gill, and Mason Barron all finished with six points a piece.

Graham Hotchkiss and the #8 Timberwolves (37.6 ppg) will take on senior George Benitez and the #1 Lakers (41.1 ppg) in the first round of the playoffs, which begin today. (2/8) The two best offensive teams will clash as Stevenson Bone and the #2 Bulls (45.0 ppg) will take on senior Charlie Taylor and the #7 Celtics. (46.3 ppg)