LSC-University Park Lions Fall to LSC-CyFair 67-51 After Late-Game Breakdown
LSC-University Park Lions Fall to CyFair 67-51 After Late-Game Breakdown
By B. Keith Crear III
LSC-University Park had opportunities to make things interesting, but poor shot selection, stagnant offense and struggles on the glass ultimately caught up with the Lions in a 67-51 loss to LSC-CyFair.
The final score tells part of the story. As a newly formed team, there will be some growing pains with the Lions. As they play through the season, communication and a solid mesh of the squad will get better. University Park showed some spark of that and managed to cut into CyFair’s advantage and at one point had the Falcons’ lead down to nine. But every time the Lions appeared ready to build momentum, another breakdown seemed to get in the way.
Offensive Movement Never Found Its Rhythm
One of University Park’s biggest problems was simply getting the offense moving.
Too many possessions ended with bad or rushed shots instead of the Lions moving the basketball from side to side and forcing CyFair’s defense to react. When an offense becomes stationary, defenders don't have to work nearly as hard. CyFair was able to stay in position, contest shots and keep University Park from consistently finding clean looks.
The passing wasn't much better.
There were several bad passes where players appeared unsure of where teammates were supposed to be. Rather than swinging the basketball and attacking gaps created by defensive rotations, University Park frequently found itself trying to manufacture something late in the possession.
The Lions needed more patience. Pacing the offense, setting up their plays and making the extra pass could have created better opportunities around the basket and on the perimeter.
Rebounding Gives CyFair Extra Opportunities
University Park's problems weren't limited to offense.
The Lions struggled rebounding and crashing the boards, allowing CyFair to control too many possessions. Rebounding is one of those areas that doesn't require a complicated offensive system or defensive scheme. It requires positioning, communication and effort.
When you're trying to erase a deficit, giving an opponent second-chance opportunities makes the climb that much steeper.
University Park also needed more movement defensively. There were stretches when the Lions weren't rotating or reacting quickly enough, allowing CyFair to dictate the action instead of being forced into uncomfortable possessions.
PG Provides Much-Needed Energy
One bright spot was the effort from University Park's No. 6.
The point guard tried to press the basketball, spread the floor and create some energy for the Lions. The effort was there, but one player can only create so much when the rest of the offense isn't moving with him.
When he tried to initiate the offense, possessions frequently broke down because players weren't consistently cutting or relocating to provide passing options. For a point guard, floor spacing only works when teammates move into the open areas created by the defense.
That lack of coordinated movement limited what University Park could accomplish.
Lions Make Their Push, But CyFair Answers
University Park did give itself a chance.
The Lions managed to cut CyFair's advantage to nine, putting themselves within striking distance. Instead of continuing to chip away at the lead, however, University Park allowed the Falcons to regain control.
CyFair eventually pushed the spread back up to 16 points with 4:58 remaining in the second half, forcing the Lions into an increasingly difficult comeback situation.
Things became even tougher when University Park was assessed a technical foul late in the half, giving CyFair an additional free-throw opportunity.
Still, the Lions didn't immediately fold.
A few of the rotating guards responded with a couple of perimeter shots and a big 3-pointer, pulling University Park within 12 with 3:32 remaining and providing another spark.
But the Lions couldn't turn those shots into the sustained run they needed.
CyFair Closes the Door
The final minutes belonged to CyFair.
Instead of allowing University Park to build momentum from its late push, the Falcons controlled the closing possessions and prevented the Lions from generating enough quality offensive opportunities to seriously threaten the lead.
CyFair's ability to execute down the stretch stood in contrast to University Park's struggles with ball movement, shot selection and rebounding.
The Falcons eventually closed out the 67-51 victory.
My Two Pennies
This was a game where the Lions' mistakes piled on top of one another.
University Park showed flashes of being able to compete, especially when it cut CyFair's lead to nine, but basketball games are rarely won on flashes. They're won by consistently executing possessions.
The Lions have to move without the basketball, make the extra pass and avoid settling for difficult shots. Defensively, communication and movement have to improve, and everyone on the floor has to commit to rebounding and crashing the boards. But that takes time with building together as a team due these young men just coming together.
There was effort, particularly from No. 6 trying to pressure the ball and create space, and No. 10 gave University Park some life with the late 3-pointer. But individual effort has to become five-man execution.
The 67-51 final score gives University Park plenty to study. The good news is that many of the problems are correctable. Slow the game down when necessary, run the offense, communicate, rebound and make the defense work before taking the shot.
If the Lions can clean up those fundamentals, games like this can become much more competitive—and eventually start turning into wins.
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