Slocum vs Nazareth, Class A, Division II semifinals

End of game
Game is over as Nazareth wins 57-48. No doubt, difference in game when all is said and done was Slocum only making 4-of-16 from the free-throw line while Nazareth 13-of-17. Despite the loss, Slocum needs to be proud of what they accomplished. Losses the Class A player of the year off of last year's team and ends up holding No. 1 ranking the whole year and getting back to the state tournament for the second time in school history. Just tonight, it was one of those games.

Fourth Quarter
OK, one more unprofessional comment. Refs have been very inconsistent. Not a reason why Slocum lost (4-for-16 FT shooting one of the reasons), but still, refs have not been that good. Expect a little better in state tournament game.

Fourth Quarter
Slocum trying to hang in there as lead has gone from 19 to 6 points. Swifts to the FT line for 1-and-1, makes one but Nazareth offensive rebound second and back to FT line. This one is over.

Fourth Quarter
53 sec - Turnover and goes back to Slocum. Bickerstaff two points and down by six.

Fourth Quarter
58 sec - Prater makes both FTs and Slocum trails by 8

Fourth Quarter
1:13 While Slocum only 2-for-14 FT, Nazareth 10-for-13. Steven Prater going to the line for one and one with Swifts leading by 10

Fourth Quarter
When Slocum tries to foul they can't get a call and then Foster steals ball and gets fouled while shooting. 1:15 left and Slocum down by nine going to the line for two. 1-for-12 so far from FT line. Foster makes one and down by 8

Fourth Quarter
Slocum just makes first FT and trails by 9

Fourth Quarter
1:54 - Bickerstaff to the line with Slocum trailing by 10 points. Got to make the FTs!

Fourth Quarter
2:!2- Slocum's Fletcher Larkin his a three pointer and lead down to 10 points. By the way, Slocum 0-for-10 in FTs. Difference in game?

Fourth Quarter
2:58 - As for the game, Slocum trails 50-37 with just under three minutes to play. Nazareth may start to stall and if so, Slocum can either foul, sending a good free throw team to the line or go for the steals.

Fourth Quarter
3:41 - Slocum's Kendell Redd fouls out. It is a shame that something like that happens in final game of career. He is a heck of a player and really became something for Slocum the last two years. He became the sixth man last year and played a huge role in the championship game because of foul trouble. This year, he moved into a starer role and was a great defensive player.

Fourth Quarter
OK, I know this may not be very professional, but the Nazareth fans behind me are really annoying! I guess a million times to the state tournament gives fans the chance to act like, well you know what.

Fourth Quarter
4:39 - Redd hits a three pointer to cut lead to 16, first points for Slocum in quarter.

Fourth Quarter
More bad news to report. Nazereth three pointer from corner and then steal and layup. This one looks to be done even with 5 minutes left. Nazareth has scored the first eight points of the quarter to start running away with this one. Seems like this is what happens when teams get to Austin, once it starts to roll the wrong way, there is not much a team can do to get back into it. That is what is happening to Slocum right now

Fourth Quarter
6:04 - Nazareth now has a 14-point lead. Slocum getting one and done as Nazerth cleaning up on the defensive boards

Fourth Quarter
12 point lead for Nazareth. Slocum not able to get anything going there way.

Fourth Quarter
7:08 - Nazareth gets 10 point lead and Slocum throws ball away. Right now things not going Mustangs way, got to turn it around real quickly or else, no repeat of a state title.


Fourth Quarter
Nazareth opens fourth with basket as loose ball goes straight to player underneath basket.

End Third Quarter
Steven Prater steals the inbound pass, after missed shot Slocum gets ball back and Thomason hits long jumper with one second left. Nazareth leads 35-29 going into fourth quarter. Slocum chipped into lead, now needs to make that charge in the fourth quarter. Thomason playing like he needs to with 14 points. Foster did not pick up another foul in the quarter so he still has three. This is going to come down to getting defensive stops and making most of opportunities on offense because Nazareth will start to stall soon in the fourth if they have the lead.

Third Quarter
Nazareth trying to go four corners but stolen by Redd for layup with 20 sec left. Lead 35-27

Third Quarter
Looks like Bickerstaff is mugged after a defensive rebound but no call as ball goes OB to Swifts

Third Quarter
Foster misses 2nd FT but Bickerstaff with offensive rebound and Mustangs have ball back and Thomason long jumper and lead is now 32-25

Third Quarter
2:18 - Logan going to the line for two FTs. Slocum still has not hit a FT and Logan misses first one and the Nazareth calls a timeout. Not sure what is going on with the FT situation but Slocum 0-for-7 with Foster getting one more

Third Quarter
2:35 - The refs are consistent on the charge calls as Nazareth just gets called for two. Top scorer Sage Black picks up his third foul but stays in game.

Third Quarter
3:19 - Redd dish to Thomason for layup and lead cut to 32-23. Turnover Swifts, Slocum needs to take advantage.

Third Quarter
It is very interesting how refs are letting both teams play and then out of nowhere a big whistle. It has been a little inconsistent right now.

Third Quarter
Another close blank shot missed by Slocum, 9-of-31 shooting.

Third Quarter
5:19 - Foster gets his first two points of game but Nazareth right back to keep 11 point lead. Steal and two more for Swifts.

Third Quarter
5:41 - Logan Foster nearly picks up his fourth foul, but a block called instead. Nazareth still leads 28-17

Third Quarter
5:52 - In just over two minutes, Redd picks up three fouls. He will stay in the game but Slocum in major foul trouble. Three for Redd and Foster, two for Bickerstaff

Third Quarter
6:11 - Kendell Redd get called for a charge, Slocum third charge of the game. Nazareth just packing the middle of the lane.

Third Quarter
7:04 - Slocum does not pick up coming down the court and an easy layup by Nazareth who now leads 26-15.

Halftime
Nazareth's Sage Black hits a three pointer with 30 seconds left and the Swifts have a 24-15 lead. Slocum has some work ahead of them in the second half, but from we have seen last week, the Mustangs have the ability to come back from a deficit. Mustangs have had some good looks, but are 7-of-25 shooting. Randall Thomason leads the team with eight point on 4-of-10 shooting. In the second half, Logan Foster cannot pick up his fourth foul and be back on the bench. Nazareth looking for Foster to drive to the hoop and putting a body under the basket looking for a call. Both times the call went Nazareth's way. Slocum just needs to stop giving up offensive rebounds and needs to be able to knock down the close looks that they are getting.

Second Quarter
2:03 - Randall Thomason with a long two pointer to cut lead to six points. Slocum needs big things from Thomason with Foster on the bench. Mustangs need to try to keep close and get into lockerroom where they can make some adjustments.

Second Quarter
2:32 - Nazareth 19-11 as one Slocum player picks another and Swifts get an easy layup.

Second Quarter
4:06 - Slocum trails 17-11 and Steven Prater to the line for two. Slocum has missed all four FTs so far and Prater misses both as well. What is going on

Second Quarter
5:49 - Logan Foster picks up his third foul - second charge, and he is on the bench for remainder of quarter. Slocum just needs to stay in the game in this half.

Second Quarter
Another offensive rebound and putback for Swifts who have a 17-9 lead.

Second Quarter
6:18 - Slocum with a turnover after Nazareth takes a 15-9 leads prompts Slocum head coach Jay Bruce to take a timeout. Slocum playing out of sync against a tough Nazareth defense. The shots have been there but Slocum just seems to be playing too fast right now.

Second Quarter
7:03 - Randall Thomason gets a basket inside but Nazareth with another offensive rebound and putback along with foul on Thomason for a free throw. FT missed but Nazareth leads 13-9. Right now, Nazareth taking advantage of offensive rebounds.

Second Quarter
7:23 - Dillon Bickerstaff picks up his second foul and looks like Logan going to check in for him. Nazareth two FTs and leads 11-7

Second Quarter
The second quarter starts with Logan Foster remaining on the bench as Fletcher Larkin is in the game for him.

End First Quarter
Randall Thomason gets a basket in the lane to cut the lead to 9-7 at the end of the first quarter. The first quarter ends quickly as both teams struggling from the field. Both teams shooting 3-for-12 in the first quarter. Only difference right now is a pair of free throws by the Swifts. Not sure if it is paying in this arena or nerves, but Slocum has had some point blank shots that they have not been able to put down.

First Quarter
15 sec - Logan Foster just picks up his second foul, critical for the Mustangs as he goes to the bench. Wonder if he will stay there at the start of the second. Nazareth hits 2 FTs and leads 9-5

First Quarter
1:40 - Nazareth's Sid Sheffy hits a three pointer and the Swifts lead 7-5.

First Quarter
2:18 - Slocum still leads 5-4 as both teams are a combined 4-for-18 shooting. A lot like last year's championship game between the two teams.

First Quarter
Slocum is only 1-for-7 to start the game. Mustangs have missed some point black shots. But Randall Thomason gets a shot in and Slocum leads 5-4.

First Quarter
4:30 - Dillon Bickerstaff gets Slocum on the board with a three pointer from the corner. Nazareth leads 4-3.

First Quarter
5:45 - Nazareth gets on the board first with a layup. The Swifts have three offensive rebounds already.

First Quarter
6:22 - No score in first minute and a half. Each team has a turnover to start out with.

Pregame
Not much pregame as teams are being introduced. Traffic in Austin, like usual, was just aweful as we sat in traffic forever, arriving just 15 minutes before the start of the game. But we made it and I am here typing. So whey! Let's get this one started.