I had time to stay for only about seven minutes of action, just enough time to see Coppin State grab a slight lead (which it held on to, winning 72-55).
Back in the car, the Terps game was already in the post-game show. Maryland lost, and its NCAA tournament hopes seem dimmer with each passing game. I changed the station to check on my next stop - a team that has to feel better about its postseason hopes. Morgan State, undefeated at home and first in its conference, was hosting Howard across town. I arrived in time to catch the final couple of minutes of the first half.
When the buzzer sounded, two dozen kids stormed the court for halftime. They make up a jump-rope team from Howard County - the Kangaroo Kids - and they wielded their ropes as a young Jedi would a light saber. Even Morgan State's Bear mascot got in the act, dropping a double Dutch education on everyone before the second half began.
Howard brought a 5-21 record into the game and was ranked No. 333 in the Rating Percentage Index, so when Jamar Smith threw down a two-handed dunk, giving the Bears a 21-point lead, I felt it was safe to duck out. (The Bears survived a late scare and held on to win, 64-59.)
With three games in the books, my own game clock was still ticking. I didn't realize how quickly until I found the High Point-Towson game on the radio dial. Apparently, Towson was the only game of the day to start on time, and with a string of red lights, my five-game plan was in serious jeopardy.
Surely, this was how Jack Bauer would tackle a day of hoops, I thought as I raced from my car and poked my head into the Towson Center, nearly out of breath. I felt guilty putting a check mark next to Towson on my itinerary because only 3.7 seconds remained on the clock when I arrived. But it turned into 3.7 seconds of the best basketball I would see all day.
The two teams were in a timeout. The scoreboard indicated that Towson trailed by one, and the Tigers had possession. On the inbounds pass, a whistle quickly blew. High Point committed a suspect foul, and Towson's C.C. Williams was headed to the line to shoot two free throws, needing both for the win. Two thousand people in one room had never been so quiet.
Williams made both, giving the Tigers a 73-72 victory. I pulled a U-turn, walking out of Towson Center without even taking off my jacket. There was no time. My next stop was clear across town, where New Hampshire-UMBC would soon tip off.
