Top-seeded Morgan Stanley capitalized on their opportunities in the second half to pull away and eventually capture a 59-44 win over fifth-seeded Brians’ American Eatery. The win improves their record to 18-1 overall.

Brians’ took an 8-2 lead in the first minutes of the game to put the pressure on Morgan Stanley.

“They were beating up on us inside due to their height advantage,” said Paul Demke coach and player for Morgan Stanley.

At the half it was a very close game, with the score tied 27-27. Demke explained how Morgan Stanley was able to pull away, noting in the first eight minutes of the second half Brians’ was not able to score, which was a key to taking control of the game.

“We kept to our game plan of an up-tempo transition game and we were able to gain more control offensively,” said Demke. “We did a great job controlling the ball and played great defense.”

Demke led Morgan Stanley in scoring with 19 points followed by Brandon Patchett and Brian Jinings, who both had 16 points.

Brians’ coach, Robert Wiggins, who also played at the center position, explained Brians’ was short-handed throughout the game and fatigue eventually set in.

“We only had five people. They had their full seven. They had their subs running in and out and I had no fresh legs, so we got tired the second half,” said Wiggins.

Brians’ played an excellent defensive game in the first half, but could not continue with that same intensity in the later stages of the game. “It just broke down the second half,” said Wiggins.

Morgan Stanley was taller in the guard position, yet Brians’ had the height advantage at center. “They had the upper hand and they were quicker… We had an advantage in the center position,” said Wiggins. “In the second half they started to double-team me and collapse the middle up, and made it more difficult for me.”

Overall, Wiggins was happy with how his team fared despite being in last place earlier this season. “We were the last-place team – to have a chance to play for a third spot next week, it was a big accomplishment for our team,” he said. “We started out in the pit so we came a long way this season.”

Brians’ Katelyn Pearson led all scoring in the game with 20 points. Wiggins added 14 while Curt Janka scored 10 points for Brians’.

Second-seeded Kickers topped third-seeded AAA Mortgage 55-43. Rob Simmons scored 21 points while Dwight Dunn chipped in 19 for Kickers. Dan Taylor led AAA Mortgage with 18 points and Brett Drake had 11.

Kickers improved to 16-3 overall while AAA Mortgage fell to 10-8-1.

Brians’ competed for the third-place spot March 16 against AAA Mortgage. The results were not available as of press time.