SOUTH ORANGE, NEW JERSEY -- For a good portion of the game, the New York Elite basketball team looked tired and dead. Saddled with a 15-point deficit in the second half, it would have been easy for the Elite to call it a day. But they didn't.
Zack Rosen hit two clutch free throws in the final seconds and a great team effort helped the Elite to pull off a dramatic comeback victory, 55-53, over United Brooklyn, in a pool contest at the Joe Brown Memorial tournament on the campus of Seton Hall University.
Rosen was fouled on a driving layup attempt with only a few seconds left. He calmly netted two free throws.
It's been a big week for the New Jersey based point guard. He recently gave a commitment to Pennsylvania. A member of the Penn coaching staff was on hand to watch Zack's key free throws. Rosen plays for St. Benedicts in Newark, New Jersey during his high school season and is a rising senior.
United Brooklyn led 29-20 after the first 15 minutes of play (first and second half consisted of 15 minutes). Patrick Jackson was particularly impressive recording 12 points in the contest for United Brooklyn.
But some key defensive plays by big man John Riek and Chauncey Gilliam's nine points off the bench helped provide the Elite with a chance to pull of the pool victory at the Joe Brown Memorial Tournament.
Rosen finished the game with 19 points while Riek added 10.