In week four I caught the action in Queens at the Elmcor Gym. 

The 2^nd game of the night at Elmcor featured defending champions Mt. Sinai vs. Linden. Some would say this was a replay of the 2010 championship game where both teams met and Mt. Sinai emerged the victors. However, this is a new season and the teams had changed their lineup a bit with players aging out so the outcome maybe different. 

After the whistle blew Mt. Sinai got the tip-off but was not able to deliver the basket. Linden got on the board with 15:30 on the clock off a lay-up and proceeded to build an early lead as they drilled in a number of 3 pointers from the floor. The game pace was slow at first as both teams took each others measure. Linden’s defense was weak and Mt. Sinai took full advantage as they hustle through time and again to make their lay-ups. Mt. Sinai worked steadily was able to get within 3 points of Linden by the half. Half Time score Mt. Sinai – 24 Linden -27

In the 2^nd half Mt. Sinai continued to hustle and Linden was just able to stay ahead.

This was the case until the 11^th minute when Linden went on a scoring run extending their lead to15 with 10:25 on the clock. Linden was able to dictate play until late in the half when Mt Sinai came alive and stepped up their game. There were moments when plays got executed to perfection and baskets went in as they should as in the 5^th minutes when Linden # 33 dunked the ball or in the 3^rd minute when Mt. Sinai’s # 3 shot the ball over his back and into the net and followed up with a 3 pointer in the next few seconds. There was also a moment every coach dreads – having a key player fouled out of the game Linden’s #33 benched after two technical fouls. Despite moments of rallying Mt Sinai could not sustain the momentum to pull past Linden and so the game ended with Linden the winners. Final score Mt. Sinai -53, Linden - 69