The Phi Beta Chi Bulldogs conquered the Beta Gamma Delta Patriots Monday in an epic battle that ended 35-34.

The Bulldogs started the first half with possession. Just two minutes into the game, Beta stole the ball and scored the first points. Quick passing and strong rebounding allowed Beta to jump out to a large lead.

The Bulldogs did not back down, but rather jumped on the opportunity to score off Beta’s mistakes. This allowed them to finish out the first half within striking distance of Beta, 20-11.

Beta carried their lead throughout the second half. Their defense and quick thinking kept them in the lead, but the Bulldogs slowly closed in on the Patriots. Although the Bulldogs struggled from the field, they hit several free throws. Without this consistency, the Bulldogs would not have been able to keep up with Beta or take the win in the end.

With just three minutes left in the game, the Bulldogs caught up to Beta when Phil Tarcza made a layup to pull the Bulldogs within two points of the lead. With the score 31-30, Tarcza scored again, giving the Bulldogs a 32-21 lead.

Beta turned right around and drained a three-pointer to take back the lead with just over a minute left on the clock. But the Bulldogs’ Nathan Smith stole the ball and raced down the court to make a layup, putting the Bulldogs back in the lead 35-34 with just 20 seconds left in the game.

Beta scrambled to stop the clock with a series of timeouts and fouls. But in the end, they were unable to overtake the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs’ Nathanael Winslow credited Josh Roach with the win. “Josh really pulled us out of the hole,” Winslow said. Roach led the Bulldogs with 11 points.

When asked what he thought they did best, Roach said that it was the little things that made the difference. “We made our layups, played together really well, and kept the energy up,” Roach said.