In what ended up being the game of the night. Empire State Basketball outlasted the NY Crusaders in a 90-88 Overtime classic. After falling short to the Pride earlier in the evening Empire State found themselves in a possible 0-2 start to the league. From the tip-off Crusaders made it clear that they were out for for blood this season ,jumping out to a 29-16 lead to end the 1st. Empire would rally back to end the half down 37-32. Behind the play of Veteran players Andrew Gould, Dave Edwards and Nate Young Empire would go on to tie and eventually take the lead 58-54 entering the 4th. The Crusaders lead by the sharpshooters Isaiah Holman and Keith Moss (7/12 3pt) would take it down to the wire in the closing seconds With Empire’s Nate Young on the line for 2 . He would convert 1/2 to push Empires lead to two with 6.0 seconds left in the game. Moments later the lighting fast Derrick Fernandez goes coast to coast for the finish to tie the game at 72-72 and send it into over time. In over time however the experienced Empire State would scrap it out to slip past the Crusaders 90-88. Nate Young Led Empire State with 24 points 9 rebounds 2 blocks. Also contributing was new comer Jeff Noel with 21 points , 5 rebounds. Veteran players Andrew Gould(8 points 7 rebounds 7 assist) and Dave Edwards(9 points 8 rebounds) were also key contributors. Leading the Crusaders were Keith Moss (27 points 7/12 from 3) Isaiah Holman (15 points) and Derrick”Fire” Fernandez (19 points 4 assists 6 steals) Respectively.
