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September 7th, 2008
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Prague's cardiac kids

USK wins another last-second stunner

By Dave Faries
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
January 23rd, 2008 issue

For the second straight time at home, USK Praha has stunned a top-ranked NBL club with a last-second prayer.
Two weeks ago, Lucious Wagner’s off-balance jumper with one tick remaining on the clock secured an unlikely win over Nový Jičín. And, on this occasion, Daniel Dvořák, fighting three defenders under the hoop, dropped Prostějov 81-80 before a raucous crowd Jan. 19.
“There was no time,” Dvořák said afterward. “I make it or we lose, so I put everything on it.”
His awkward shot with three seconds on the clock gave USK their only lead of the game. Throughout the previous 38 minutes and 57 seconds of play, Prostějov held Prague at arm’s length. Over and over again they allowed the home team to close then pushed them away.
At the end of one quarter, Prostějov held a thin 24-22 lead. By halftime, the visitors extended their advantage to 48-40, holding Wagner to a mere two points and stymieing big man Roderick Platt.
“In the first half it seemed like they had an answer for everything we tried to do,” said USK coach Ken Scalabroni.
Individual effort kept things close — reserve point guard Tomáš Satoranský hustling for a rebound, or Lukáš Kotas snatching a pass from Aleksander Bojič to stop a spurt by the visitors.
“We adapted throughout the game,” Dvořák said. Despite tying the score only twice and never gaining a lead until the final shot, USK seemed to sense victory. “Everyone believed we could win,” he added.
The game turned with 7:36 to go in the third, when Prostějov star Rashaan Ames slipped and lost control of the ball. Kotas scooped it up and broke away for an unopposed dunk while Ames limped off the court.
Prostějov held an eight-point lead at that point. But with Ames out momentarily, Prague quickly closed the gap.
“Ames is our key, but the problem was with our big guys,” said visiting coach Miroslav Marko. “Today Platt was the best player.”
Stepping into the center role in place of the injured Muris Andelija, Platt tallied 14 points, eight boards and five assists. He also provided inspirational leadership.
In the third quarter, Platt dropped a nifty baby hook and Wagner hit two from the line, pulling Prague within three points. But Prostějov forward Stanislav Votroubek quieted the crowd with a trey.
As Votroubek drifted past the USK bench, he put a finger to his lips, as if to say, “I’ve silenced you.” But Platt hustled down court, took a feed from Satoranský and slammed home a dunk, rallying fans and teammates.
In the final period, foul shooting by Kotas and a key miss by Ames set the stage for Dvořák’s heroics. Still, Ames led all scoring with 21 points. With the victory, USK remains two games ahead of Sadská in the battle for the NBL’s final playoff spot.

Dave Faries can be reached at dfaries@praguepost.com


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