The #12 Beth Tfiloh Warriors faced off against the #13 MTA Lions in a Tier II Qualifier at Frisch on Friday. The back and forth game came down to the wire, as Eitan Warburg nailed a 3 pointer as the final horn sounded to give MTA the 49-46 victory.
Both teams started off slow, as there was a 5 1/2 minute scoring drought in the 1st quarter, which ended with the two teams tied at 5. The offenses picked it up a little during the second quarter, which ended with MTA on top, 17-15. It was in the third quarter when the offenses finally picked up, with the two teams each scoring 20 apiece.
As the fourth quarter began, MTA senior Eitan Warburg knocked down a 3 to put MTA up by 5, but Beth Tfiloh responded with a 5-0 run to tie the game. MTA went on a 6-0 run of their own, and led 46-40 with just 2:52 remaining. However, Beth Tfiloh once more responded, going on a 6-0 run, capped off by two clutch free throws with 15 seconds remaining by senior Harris Gartenhaus. Following an MTA timeout, the Lions let Eitan Warburg handle the final shot. He thought about driving to the hoop, but decided instead to back out and take a three, which hit nothing but net as the clock expired.
MTA was led by Warburg, who came up clutch, especially with senior Eitan Pfeiffer in foul trouble. For Beth Tfiloh, Gav Landau played outstandingly well for the second consecutive game, draining numerous threes, including some from well beyond the arc.
With the victory, MTA will head into Tier II, where they will play Posnack in the semifinals. Beth Tfiloh will play in the Tier III semifinals, most likely against Beren. Both games will take place on Sunday, in the Max Stern Athletic Center.
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