Game 7 - 6pm

Returning from a halftime deficit, the North Lake Blazers were able to drain free-throw shots in order to close their win over the Hostos Community College Caimans, 66-59, to ensure their slot in the Championship game of the 2008 NJCAA Division III tournament. With the Blazers Brian Sanders able to drain free throws and outsides shots in the last minutes of the game, and the Caimans unable to make their shots fall, North Lake was able to pick up points to leave Hostos trailing behind.

Taking a lead early in the first half, the Caimans were able to move the ball around the court and find open shots. Pulling and holding a 10-point lead early on in the game, Hostos started to pull away from the Blazers. Picking up their intensity on the floor, the Blazers began to make their comeback, getting up to the boards to gain crucial rebounds and allowing the team to put up more shots. Attempting to close the gap further, North Lake’s Jamon Wilson attempted to put up a shot at the buzzer, but was unsuccessful, and sent the game into halftime with Hostos leading, 31-27.

Coming out in the second half, North Lake’s Nathan Pratt was able to drain a three-point shot, followed by another two-point basket, giving the Blazers their first lead of the game, 32-31. This was the beginning of a battle for the lead in which North Lake was able to start pulling away with seven minutes remaining in the game. Hostos still wouldn’t give up, as they continued to press down the court with Nick Lopez making a three-point basket to put the Caimans behind by only four points. Getting into foul trouble, the Blazers were able to step up to the line and drain free throw shots consecutively, giving them a substantial hold over the Caimans. Hostos’s Steven Marfe missed a two-point shot with seconds left, and North Lake’s Bryant Ross was able to drain two more free throw shots to give the Blazers their victorious score of 66-59. Leading scorer for the game was Hostos Community College’s Silvio Marfe with 16 points followed by North Lake College’s Brian Sanders with 15 points.