Bradley Center Heroic Finish

Bradley Center Heroic Finish

Author's note: This is my creative writing piece about a memorable finish in a Marquette basketball game. FYI, this did not really happen. The story takes place in 2002, when Marquette superstar Dwyane Wade and deadly three-point shooter Steve Novak convert a memorable play for their loyal fans.

Rambunctiously cheering from the edge of their seats, the faithful Marquette fans sounded like a heard of elephants. They felt enthusiastic about their team. Lead by the one and only Dwyane Wade. In the current situation, Marquette was up by 8 with 3:56 remaining. The Marquette fans knew who was going to win. They always had confidence in their team like no other. While the other team, UConn had different plans. They wanted to win just as much as Marquette did. So this battle wasn't over yet, but Marquette fans felt it was. The Marquette players knew there was pressure on themselves, but weren't going to let it get in the way. Marquette coach Tom Crean motivated his players to calm down during the timeouts down the stretch.


Karon Bradley, Marquette's guard, was to inbound the ball. After the whistle, Karon whipped it into the hands of who other than Dwyane Wade. Dwyane Wade jogged down the court with the basketball in his hands. He was being defended by Uconn's Caron Butler. Dwyane did a series of crossovers including his most deadly move, the killer crossover. Caron Butler however, was one of the better defenders in college basketball. Steve Novak was standing in the corner behind the three point line. Hoping Dwyane could possibly get him open and swing it to him to close the game. However, Steve was being guarded by Uconn's  shooting guard Ben Gordon. Steve managed to get open and Dwyane Wade handed it off to him. Steve now was waiting for a pick from Dwyane Wade to brake him loose and make the 18 foot jump-shot. Dwyane couldn't make that happen and coach Tom Crean had to call a timeout to re talk things over.


After the timeout, coach  had Dwyane Wade to inbound the ball and Steve still in the back corner behind the three-point line. Then the referee blew the whistle. Dwyane Wade made a quick lop to the hoop, but bounced off the rim and landed in the hands of Caron Butler. Caron rand up the floor and launched a long three and banked it in off the glass. Now, it was just a 5 point game. Then it was Marquette's turn. Dwyane Wade got through the middle and shot a little floater that ended up not going in. Uconn's power forward Emeka Okafor got the rebound and got the ball up court to Caron Butler. Dwyane quickly got back on defense, but was too late and Caron launched another three and same result as before. Now, it was just a 2 point game with 1: 27 remaining. Another timeout taking by coach Tom Crean.


Steve Novak now was the in-bounder. After the whistle, Steve through a pass intended to Dwyane Wade, but got stolen by Ben Gordon. Ben Gordon ran with all his power down the court and layed it in and the game was tied with 1:13 remaining. Then came Marquette down the floor. Another missed shot from Marquette and Uconn with another rebound. Timeout Uconn with 0:52 remaining...... Emeka Okafor was to inbound the ball and gave it to the red hot Caron Butler. Caron Butler did a left to right crossover on Steve Novak and pulled up for the go ahead shot. Caron managed to get it in. Now, those confident Marquette fans just a couple minutes to go, were not there now. In fact, the stadium was dead silent except for the music blasting in the arena during the timeout by coach Tom Crean.


Dwayne Wade and other teammates walked on the floor with disappointment in their eyes. They were ashamed that they gave up this lead in a game that was controlled by Marquette for most of the game. Coach Tom Crean had Karon Bradley to inbound again and Dwyane Wade to stay at mid court to catch the past from Karon. Dwyane Wade got the past and slowly dribbled toward the defender Caron. Steve Novak in the corner behind the three-point line as usual. Dwyane attacked Caron with the killer crossover and it worked. He git past him and drove towards the middle. Then glanced over everywhere to see who to past to. Uconn's players came toward Dwyane Wade and didn't pay much attention to Steve in the corner and Steve was able to get open. Dwyane fired it to Steve and Steve with no hesitation launched it up and the ball bounced on the front of the rim and slowly, but eventually went in. The crowd came alive again and were full of excitement. They were so proud of their team and all went home leaving with pleased smiles.