721st MSG beats 21st FSS to win basketball championship

Published March 3, 2010
By Walt Johnson
Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 721st Mission Support Group overcame a five-point deficit late in the game to defeat the 21st Force Support Squadron 53-48 and take home the 2010 competitive league basketball championship Feb. 24 at the Peterson Sports and Fitness Center.

The game marked the third meeting in the playoffs for the two units with each claiming a victory in the previous two contests. The first contest in the winner's bracket championship was played Feb. 22. The 721st won 71-50 and earned the right to play for the championship. The 21st FSS, now in the loser's bracket, would have to fight its way into the championship round.

The 21st FSS beat the 21st Medical Group 72-62 and the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron 60-50 to earn its way into the championship round. The 21st FSS came to the game knowing it would have to win the Feb. 23 contest to force an "if necessary" game and give it a chance to win the championship. The 21st FSS wasted little time building a huge first-half lead and beating the 721st MSG 58-35. The victory forced the "if necessary" game and what a game it turned out to be.

By halftime, the 21st FSS had a six-point lead at 26-19 but the 721st MSG team walked off the court looking like a confident team even though it trailed by six points. The results of the second half showed why the 721st MSG was confident.

The 721st MSG and Daniel Taylor, 721st MSG guard, played the second half like it was determined to bring a title back to Cheyenne Mountain. Taylor scored 15 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter as the MSG team made up the six-point halftime deficit to tie and force an overtime. The 721st MSG neared the end of the first overtime with a three-point lead, but 21st FSS forward Zion Fiapula sank a three-point basket at the buzzer to force a second overtime.

The 721st MSG controlled the game in the second overtime and secured the championship.

League championship