ValleyDawgs Victorious
Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs outlast Brooklyn Kings in the USBL Postseason Festival's Championship Game; Fleming named MVP.

Ketan Dhawan
Minor League News

06.27.04 - Milford, CT - Spirits were high, and the fans were drawn to the edge of their seats, as the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs defeated the Brooklyn Kings in a 118-116 thriller to capture 2004 USBL Championship.

Pennsylvania's Marcus Fleming had 34 points and 14 rebounds, and was named the posteason's Most Valuable Player.

Both Brooklyn and Pennsylvania went into the USBL's postseason tournament tied for the league's best regular season record at 20-10.

Brooklyn had no problems getting to the final, easily routing Oklahoma and Kansas en route to the contest with Pennsylvania.

The ValleyDawgs also cruised to the championship easily, scoring triple digits in both their victories over Cedar Rapids and Dodge City.

In the title game, the first quarter brought both teams out at full hustle and there was never more than a three-point lead by either team, as the Kings led the ValleyDawgs 32-31.

The second quarter was favorable for Pennsylvania, as they outscored the Kings early and maintained their lead until halftime. The ValleyDawgs went into the lockers for halftime with a 58-53 lead.

The third quarter brought with it a slow, yet steady, Kings' retaliation. Brooklyn fought back and for a short moment took the lead, yet as the horn sounded, it was tied at 86.

As the fourth began in a dead heat, both teams sparred and the competition was fierce. With just under four minutes left, the game was once again tied, now at 104 apiece.

The Kings took the lead on a free throw by Antawn Dobie, giving the Kings a 1-point lead, though it did not last long. Within seconds, ValleyDawg Lou White answered with an offensive rebound and a short jumper.

The 'Dawgs took over, extending their lead to four, but with just under three quarters of a minute remaining, the Kings' BJ McFarland, one of the leagues top performers, put in a lay-up to bring Brooklyn within 2.

Fouls were exchanged as the clock wound down unbearably slowly, and with 24 seconds left, the dust cleared to show the ValleyDawgs leading the scoreboard by four.

Once again fouls were exchanged, however, this time, Brooklyn's Mike Campbell only made one of his two, while Pennsylvania's Marcus Fleming hit both.

The lead was now five, and it seemed that perhaps the failure to convert at the charity stripe would be the nail in the coffin.

Campbell, however, made amends for his miss with a gigantic three pointer as the clock continued to tick down.

With only three seconds on the clock, the Kings then stole the ball from Pennsylvania.

Anthony Glover scrambled, picked up the loose ball and hurled it to Campbell, who was already speeding down-court.

Campbell popped off a shot, but it was too late. The final horn had sounded, and the rejoicing Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs took home the franchise's second USBL championship, 118-116.

In this wild shootout, there were 29 lead changes and 30 ties, with the ValleyDawgs holding the biggest lead of the game at seven.

John Thomas was a huge key for the ValleyDawgs fourth quarter, scoring all of his 15 points in the final quarter.

Meanwhile, Brooklyn's Mike Campbell had 38 points, a new USBL Championship Game record.