A Low-Scoring Struggle: NPA Pythons Edge LPRC Oilers 54-53

In a game that was anything but a high-flying offensive showcase, the NPA Pythons were able to squeak by the LPRC Oilers with a final score of 54-53.

Both teams struggled mightily to convert their plays into points throughout the game. The Oilers relied heavily on their outside shooting, but went a dismal 7-for-24 from beyond the arc. They weren’t much better inside the paint either, shooting just 11-for-43 on two-point attempts.

However, the Oilers did manage to out-rebound the Pythons, particularly on the offensive glass (11 offensive rebounds to 7 for the Pythons).

The Pythons themselves weren’t much better offensively. They struggled to find good looks throughout the game, going just 11-for-34 inside the paint and 5-for-17 from three-point range. The lone bright spot for the Pythons was Samuel Willie, who finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.

The Oilers had three players in double figures: Fitzgerald Collins (11 points), Isaac Anosike (10 points), and Adam Barduae (10 points and 4 rebounds). Barduae, a former D3 player, was a surprise contributor for the Oilers, especially with his work on the offensive glass (3 of his 4 rebounds were offensive).

The game remained close throughout, and the Oilers had a chance to win it on the final possession. However, Isaac Anosike’s three-point attempt with three seconds remaining fell short, giving the Pythons the victory. The decision to shoot a three-pointer while only down by one point was questionable, but ultimately it didn’t cost the Oilers the game.

This win wasn’t exactly a thing of beauty for the Pythons, but they’ll certainly take it. The Oilers will look to bounce back in their next game, and will likely look to get better scoring opportunities for their shooters.