Paul Hammond and Jake Pollen made the big shots, and Chandler Dawes did about everything else to send Springfield into the second round of the AAU National Playoffs.
Hammond and Pollen sank two 3-pointers apiece in a decisive 12-2 fourth quarter run, as Dawes had his second career playoff triple-double as Springfield pulled away to beat pesky Phoenix 87-85 in Game 6.
"This team has been giving us trouble all season," Hammond said of Phoenix. "We're definitely happy we're through with those guys."
Dawes shot just 4-of-12 for 15 points, but had 20 rebounds and 10 assists.
"That's my job, to quarterback out there," Dawes said.
The Midwest No.1 seed won the series 4-2 and advanced to play Compton in the second round of the AAU Playoffs. Compton has eliminated Springfield from the playoffs the past two seasons, winning eight of nine games, althought Springfield swept the four-game season series against Compton.
Hammond, playing with a strained tendon in his lower right leg, added 19 points -- nine in the fourth quarter. He was 5-for-9 from 3-point range.
"When your team needs you, you've got to come out and help them," Hammond said. "If that means playing hurt or playing beat up, you've got to do it, and that's what it takes to win."
Conor McCaffrey added 17 points, and Pollen scored 12 by going on 4-of-7 3-pointers.
"I knew that with our-double teaming, that if they were able to hit their outside shots, we'd be doomed," Phoenix coach Frank Johnson said.
Shawn Stevenson had 24 points and 15 rebounds for Phoenix, but his only points of the fourth quarter came on a 3-point bank shot with 4.4 seconds to play and another 3 as the game ended.
Stephon Thompson, bothered by a nerve injury to his right shoulder, had 18 points but made just five of 19 shots as Phoenix shot 36 percent. Thompson fouled out with 11 seconds to play.
"It wasn't as strong as it normally is, but I was able to play," Thompson said of his shoulder. "They're a really good team. Whenever you try to trap Chandler Dawes, you're going to give up open shots. They did what they were supposed to do as far as knocking them down tonight."
Damian Anderson, the AAU Rookie of the Year, had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Phoenix. Reserve Josiah Johnson scored 11.
"Phoenix was a great eight-seed," Springfield head coach Will Jenkins said. "If they had made their shots down the stretch, we would probably be playing a seventh game."
Chandler Dawes, who played 45 minutes, had his first playoff triple-double last year against Seattle. This was his fourth triple-double overall.
"One thing you can always say about him is he's a quality person," Phoenix's Scott Williams said. "He went out there and played a hard, clean ballgame. He's their all-everything."
Johnson's driving layup gave Phoenix it's last lead, 71-69, with 6:10 to play. Then the 3-pointers began to fall for Springfield.
Hammond made one to put Springfield up for good, 72-71 with 5:54 to go. Pollen, wide-open, made two, then Hammond sunk another and it was 81-74 with 3:44 to go.
"Jake and Paul just kind of took over," Chandler said. "Those guys (Phoenix) contiuned to double-team me in the post. We swung the ball around and those guys were great. They knew the ball was coming to them. They got ready, and they knocked them down."
Hardaway, just 4-of-13 for the game, made a 3-pointer with 1:32 left to cut the lead to 83-79, but Phoenix got no closer until Stevenson's final shot at the buzzer.
Both teams had turnover problems. Phoenix commited 20, six in the fourth quarter, resulting in 20 points for Springfield. Springfield had 19, but only seven in the second half.
The young Phoenix team, a surprise all season, beat Springfield three of the four times in the regular season and gave Springfield trouble in the playoffs. But Phoenix couldn't overcome Springfield's tough defense. Phoenix shot less than 40 percent in all four of its losses.
"We gave this Springfield team a pretty good run, so I think we opened a lot of eyes," Anderson said. "Don't count us out. We'll be back next year."
Phoenix seemed in good shape after Stevenson sank two 3-pointers and Thompson one in a 9-0 run to start the second half that put Phoenix up 52-41, its biggest lead of the series. Chandler and Charlie Dawes each missed two free throws during the Phoenix surge.
Hammond's 3-pointer ignited an 11-0 run as Springfield moved ahead 63-59 on Clarence Davis's inside basket with 53.9 seconds left in the third. Springfield led 64-61 entering the fourth.