Game 1 Semifinals...Oklahoma City at Philadelphia

Oklahoma City 72, Philadelphia 70

LARIATS FRITTER AWAY BIG LEAD BUT HANG ON TO WIN PLAYOFF OPENER

PHILADELPHIA -- The Oklahoma City Lariats escaped a late-game ambush by the home team Philadelphia Phobia in the first contest of this best of three semifinals, winning 72-70.
The Lariats led by as many as 18 points in the first half, and by 10 going into the last quarter. But the Phobia (which still holds a magical 30-10 lifetime advantage over Oklahoma City) closed the gap methodically, and was within 4 points with 50 time units remaining.
Pythogoras Theorum subbing for the fouled out Bruce Hammer, tied the game 70-70 for the home team, sending the fans into fits of frenzy. (Good name for the league...Fitzo Frenzy). That came with 14 time units left and would be the last points scored by Philly.
The winning bucket came from Oklahoma City center Hodor, who took a pass down low from Walter Sobchack and scored with 2 time units left to give his team a 72-70 lead.
With everyone covered, Phobia center Diss Reflexia found himself with the ball beyond the 3-point arc and time running out. His first attempt to launch a trey was denied by Hodor, and the second attempt proved to be off the mark.

Game notes: Philly out-rebounded OKC 24-16, out-shot them 66.7 percent to 50.8 percent, but took only 45 shots to 61 by the Lariats, thanks in large part to Reckless Abandon of Oklahoma City, who was denying shots all over the court.
Oklahoma City, which shot 54.1 percent from beyond the arc, was just 4 of 22 and still won. That's a good sign for Lariats fans.

20-PLUS GVP PERFORMANCES
-- League MVP Naf Naf of Oklahoma City had a bad day shooting the ball, but still managed to help his team with 14 points, a team-high 5 rebounds and 3 assists. He was just 5 for 17 from the floor and 3 for 11 from 3-point range, both percentages way off his usual production pace.
-- Oklahoma City two guard Simon Barsinister played well against his old team, tying for team-high scoring honors with 16, grabbing 2 rebounds, dishing a game-high (tied) 4 assists and getting 1 steal. His defense helped keep T.K. Masterson of Philly from going completely wild.
-- The man who led the MBA in MVP of the Game performances during the regular season, T.KANES MASTERSON of Philadelphia, added a playoff game MVP to his resume with a game-high 19 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. His scoring kept the Phobia within shouting distance in the first half.
-- Philadelphia center Diss Reflexia's game-high 11 rebounds was more than double the next-highest tally in the game, as second-half domininace on the boards led to the Phobia comeback. He added 8 points, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot.

NEXT GAME; The Chicago Gale fights for its life at home against the Dallas Demons, who lead the series 1-0.