Intramural Championships held at Assembly Hall, 3 teams crowned

After a long ride throughout the first half of the semester, victors emerged from the Division I Recreational Sports tournament brackets March 12.

UMAD completed its run at a 3-peat, defeating the younger 574 team 36-30.

The Women’s Division I game was not quite as close. The Gypsy Ladies took over in the second half and won 42-27, largely because The Lushes were playing with only five players. The Co-Ed Division I game was evenly matched, with the MonSTARS up 19-14 at the half and prevailed 49-44.

The Men’s Division I game was very close throughout, as UMAD led 19-18 after the first half. That changed with 3:04 left in the game when 574 held a 30-29 lead.

A technical was called on a hard foul under the basket, which led to two more technicals after 574 players wouldn’t stop verbally assaulting referees. Mark Shuller hit 3-of-4 free throws awarded from the technical fouls, giving UMAD a 32-30 lead.

“The key was persistence,” said Shuller “It was a rough and sloppy game.”

With 1:12 left, 574 committed a costly turnover when Moussa Kante picked off a pass at half court and connected with captain Josh Norris.

Norris was fouled before he got to the rim but made both free throws, giving UMAD a four-point edge with 52.4 seconds left in the game. 574 failed to score again, and UMAD eventually prevailed.

“It feels great,” Kante said. “I feel like we played with and for each other. We played hard, nothing else to say.”

After the games ended, Assistant Director of Intramural Sports Kido Satoshi said he was pleased with the turnout of the intramural season.

“The tournament went nice and smooth,” Kido said. “It’s what intramural sports are all about: the students.”

 – By Kyle Abrell