The Team Nebraska Express 16U took on the Reebok sponsored Houston Elite 16U early this morning at 8:00 AM after a disappointing loss lastnight in the opening round of the tournament. The Express got off to a quick start leading them to an 8-0 lead. Houston Elite quickly fought back. Houston Elite got to the rim, and forced the Express guards to turn the ball over towards the end of the first half giving them a 3 point lead going in to the half 27-24. At the start of the second half, both teams came out slow and out of rhythm, struggling to make a basket. Houston Elite did strike first going on a mini run to take a 10 point lead. The Express still struggling to find good offense, made up for it on defense and crawled their way back in to a close game. Still not in the lead, Express cut it down to a 2 point game. With 1 minute remaining in the game, the Express made a clutch play on defense, and got a steal plus a bucket on the other end, tying the game up 42-42 and sending it in to over time. In OT, the Express did not let up and continued the great defense forcing turn overs for Houston Elite. Scoring on the other end, the Express were up 2 points with 40 seconds left in OT. Houston Elite came down the court, and the Express yet again forced another turn over. With that turn over Houston Elite was forced to foul the Express again. The Express converted both free throws and sealed the deal. The Express 16U beat Reebok Houston Elite 46-42.

Written by Christian Harmon