Chapter 41: Lone Hero
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Liam shook his head in dissatisfaction on the sidelines, but still clapped his hands to show encouragement. It wasn't Drew's fault; as a white center with mediocre talent, he really couldn't keep up with Taron Green.
Looking at Drew, Liam missed a certain player he had scolded many times before he traveled through time. Although that player was often left open for three meters on offense, received technical fouls every day, and often had brain lapses at the end of games, he could defend!
After becoming the head coach, Liam realized how valuable it was to have an all-around top defensive and supporting player like Green on the team. If the Bulldogs had Green, the team would have had far more options on both offense and defense, and he wouldn't have to pin all his hopes on Curry's explosion.
But for now, he could only watch as the FDU players had their way on the offensive end.
"Next season, I must get Green!" Liam thought, feeling determined as he turned his attention back to the court.
The game soon reached the final moments of the first half, and the Bulldogs had their last offensive chance.
Curry dribbled to the frontcourt and broke through Tauning Green again. Donovan waved his hand, and Brewer immediately came up to assist in defense after seeing this.
But Curry cleverly retreated to the center line, and Mike Green also cut into the inside at the right time, putting Brewer in a dilemma. He hesitated but still followed Mike Green. He'd rather let Curry take on Taurean Green one-on-one than allow Mike Green an easy layup.
Seeing that Brewer didn't come up, Curry slowly moved to the top of the arc. At that moment on the court, Curry and Taurean Green were at the top of the arc, and the other eight players were crowded near the baseline, as if they were divided into two worlds.
Liam was moved by this scene. It was so familiar! If Curry and Green were replaced, it would be a famous training scene from the Dream Chaser game.
Curry dribbled the ball steadily, watching the seconds tick away. When there were 6 seconds left, he made his move.
Curry first made frequent changes of direction in front of his body, causing Taurean Green's center of gravity to shift back and forth. Then he suddenly pulled the ball to the left and paused. Taurean Green reflexively turned his body.
Curry quickly passed the ball to his right hand again, and while Taurean Green barely kept up, Curry then made a drastic change of direction, creating enough space for a shot. He took a three-pointer!
Taoling Green's block was too late; he could only watch as the basketball flew through the air. Below the basketball, the red light of the timer lit up simultaneously.
Swish!
The basketball drew a beautiful arc and fell straight into the net!
The score was 38:31, and the Bulldogs extended their lead to seven points.
Boom!
After the ball went in, the Florida fans fell silent, but the Butler fans raised their arms and waved wildly.
Taoling Green spread his hands and looked at Donovan helplessly.
"Coach, I really can't defend him!"
During the halftime break, the atmosphere in the Florida University locker room was tense. Donovan frowned as he arranged the tactics for the second half:
"Corey, you'll be the main defender on Curry in the second half. Remember, don't let him shoot three-pointers! Give him space on one side to drive. Al, you move up and leave Campbell open when necessary. When Curry drives, you help defend. Got it?"
Horford and Brewer nodded quickly, showing their understanding.
Donovan nodded with satisfaction, "Good. We must win this game. I know many in the media are saying that the favorites could lose, but we're different. We play as a team and win with tactics. How can we lose to a single-core team like Butler? Basketball is a team sport! Our advantages will be evident in the second half. Let's go!"
The players responded loudly, and Horford and Noah looked at each other, seeing the fighting spirit in each other's eyes. This was their basketball philosophy; otherwise, they wouldn't have played for Florida for another year.
They firmly believed that as long as the four of them were together, Florida would be invincible!
The fifteen-minute halftime break ended quickly, and the game resumed. Donovan looked at the court in surprise—Curry was still there!
The Bulldogs' lineup on the court was Curry, Julian Bacow, AJ Graves, Campbell, and Engelman. For Florida University, it was Brewer, Humphrey, Horford, Richard, and Powell.
Both teams sent out two substitutes. The other starters had all rested during the first half. Only Curry played the full 20 minutes of the first half and was still on the court.
"Liam, do we really want Stephen to play the whole game? His physical condition isn't the best," Stevens said with some concern.
"This is his own choice," Liam sighed, looking at Curry on the court.
Curry was supporting his knees with his hands, breathing heavily, but his eyes were full of determination as he looked at the opposing players.
He recalled his conversation with Liam earlier that morning.
"Stephen, it's hard for our offense to match the opponent's intensity, especially after you leave the court."
"Coach, let me play the whole game."
"Can you... hold on?"
"We've made it to the round of 16. I don't want to have any regrets. I want to prove those people wrong. Not only can I play in the NCAA, but I can also help the team win the championship!"
Curry wiped the sweat from his forehead, took the serve from Julian Beko, and came to the front court.
Facing Brewer's defense, he suddenly accelerated, using his speed advantage to blow past Brewer. But Brewer reacted quickly and followed Curry closely, just slightly behind.
Curry reached a spot one step inside the three-point line, suddenly paused, then stopped and started quickly, using the change in rhythm to shake off Brewer. He reached the basket, avoided the block of Florida University's substitute center Richard, and made a reverse layup off the backboard.
After landing, Curry punched the air hard.
He had to win this game!
But looking back, Horford scored easily in a one-on-one post-up against Engelman, nullifying Curry's effort.
In the next few minutes, Curry turned into a lone hero, fighting against an entire team on his own. He tried his best, hitting a three-pointer here, but when he turned around, Horford was unstoppable under the basket, easily overpowering Campbell or Engelman for easy scores.
When both teams' starting players returned to the court, five minutes of the second half had passed.
Although Curry struggled to hold on, Florida University successfully caught up, trailing the Bulldogs by just one point at 48:49.
Liam felt relieved as he watched the opponents gradually catch up.
Florida's biggest advantage was having four strong starters, which allowed them to maintain the strength of their lineup and often widen the score when both teams' substitutes were on the court.
But now, thanks to Curry, the Bulldogs had survived the most challenging period.
Although the lead from the first half had been erased, it was enough for the Bulldogs to have a level playing field once the starters were back on the court.
End of this chapter
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