CHICAGO -- The balanced scoring attack of the Oklahoma City Lariats outlasted the Chicago Gale 77-73 in overtime in one of the more thrilling playoff contests ever witnessed, disappointing a home crowed that had witnessed an improbable last-minute comeback by their heroes to force the extra period.
Down 5 with 7 time units remaining, the Gale got a bucket by Big Pete Bowmore, then a defensive stop. All seemed lost when Lemon Jell-o of Oklahoma City knocked the ball away from Chicago guard Poppy Poppalucco. But Orange Jell-o of Chicago was first to the ball, unleashed a 3-point attempt, and hit it while being fouled in the process. His free throw put Chicago up by one. In the waning seconds, Oklahoma City regained the lead when Taylor Quackstick was fouled and hit both ends of a one-and-one. But with two time units remaining, Orange Jell-o of Chicago was fouled and went to the line for a one-and-one. He hit the first to tie the score, but fucking missed the one that could have clinched the game.
Chicago led early in overtime by four points when their third starter, Beezow Bop-Bop, fouled out of the game with 12 time units remaining. Oklahoma City's 13-year veteran guard Tubes Mullard tied the game and basically turned things over to Lariats forward Abe Binder. From that point, Binder gave his team the lead with a short jumper, defended Bowmore on what looked like a sure bucket underneath, then scored again as time ran out.
The Lariats will now play the Houston Iguanas for the Season 34 MBA Championship in a battle of East and West division winners. Oklahoma City, which has never won a title, returns to center stage for the first time since Season 18.
But first, a few more facts about this last playoff barn-burner.
* Both teams were led in scoring by substitute guards. Mullard had 16 against his old team, Chicago. The Gale were led in scoring by the notoriously bad shooter Poppy Poppalucco, a defensive stalwart who had the game of his life offensively, leading all scorers with 17 points on perfect 7 for 7 shooting. The Gale needed every one of those points because leading scorer Didger A'doo was hampered by foul trouble throughout, and finally did foul out with just 6 time units gone in the fourth quarter.
* Four players fouled out in this game, three by Chicago and Walt White, the Lariat's leading scorer.
* Oklahoma City had 6 players in double figures.
* Slick passing was featured by both teams, with the Lariats getting 17 assists and Chicago 15.
* The MVP of the Game award went to Chicago center Wayan Garuda, who scored 13 points and was a pillar of strength on the boards with 11 rebounds.
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