America East Quarter Finals

Today's game vs. Boston University was the most intense sports game I have ever watched. Now, I'm not a sports analyst or sports writer, but I'll try to recap some of the game and hopefully I can capture the enthusiasm and tension that was present during the game.
The game started off like any other basketball game. UMBC was leading by several points for the first few minutes. Then the tables turned. BU was shooting three pointers - and making every single one of them. UMBC kept trying to shoot for three, but we kept missing. We couldn't let this game slip away from us. If we lost today, then that would mean another 6 hour bus ride that evening back to Baltimore. We were going to win.
I don't really remember much of the scoring statistics from the game, but I do remember the enthusiasm and tension that was present at SEFCU arena. No more than 5 minutes into the first half, coach Randy Monroe had already torn off his suit jacket. The pressure was on. From my seat in the stands next to UMBC's bench I could see Coach Monroe yelling at the top of his lungs. He, along with the rest of the UMBC fans in the arena, didn't want to lose to BU.
The rest of the game was full of more emotions and tension. My voice is still recovering from the "DEFENSE", "HERE WE GO BIG DAWGS! HERE WE GO!", "U-M-B-C" and other cheers that filled the SEFCU arean yesterday. The stands were filled with a surprising number of UMBC fans, sporting their black and gold t-shirts and cheering their home team to victory. Surprisingly, there were several UAlbany fans that were rooting for us. To my right there were a few white and red BU shirts dotting the stands. But when you compared the number of fans rooting for UMBC to the number for BU, we clearly had the advantage.
As the final seconds of the game approached, it seemed as if we might lose. We were down by 2 points, that is until Proctor hit a ten foot jumper, tying the game and forcing us into overtime. Another 5 minutes of anxiety and tension.
Overtime started off shaky, but soon UMBC gained the advantage and it was clear that we had stolen this one from Boston University. For the first time in America East history, the number 6 seed team would be playing the number seven seed team (UAlbany) in the semifinals. Both high seeding teams had been knocked out of the conference - something that was not expected to happen. At the sound of the final buzzer, the UMBC fans erupted in cheers and shouts of joy. I could see Jay Greene and other members of the team high fiving each other and hugging their coaches down on the court. Clearly they were just as excited as we were.
The UMBC Down and Dirty Dawg Band got rave reviews from fans and event staff alike. From where I was sitting in the stands, people kept complimenting the band. We were definitely larger than the Boston University pep band, and we definitely had more spirit. Before the game everyone (including me) suited up in their UMBC gear and had their faces painted. During the game we kept the fans cheering, leading everyone in cheers and yells to root our home team to victory. All in all, it was one of the most exciting games sports games I have ever been to.
UMBC will take on University of Albany this afternoon at 2pm at SEFCU arena in Albany. Although we may not have the home court advantage, we definitely have the fans to cheer and support our team as they battle for a spot in the America East championships. You can watch the game live on MASN @ 2pm.
And for those who prefer a more "technical" review of the game, a complete recap can be found here.