A blowout loss followed by one of the most chaotic endings of a win possible. The Falcons really seem to be making sure fans know that what's in store this season. After almost squandering a lead that at one point reached 21 points. Springfield escaped PGE with a 137-134 victory that could have easily slipped away.

We'll get to the comedy of errors that were the last few minutes soon enough, but it would be unfair to ignore what really was a really fun game for three quarters. The Falcons bounced back from their opening night loss, looking more energetic and focused than PGE early on. Their switching defense and length were bothering Tyrese Johnson and, with Jacob Turner out, Jamison Jones III dominated the center duel against an outmatched Jalen Smith. The execution and decision-making weren’t great on offense by either team, but a higher pace, a couple of good individual performances, and a more cohesive game plan were enough for the Falcons' starters to carve out a lead. The second unit looked shaky initially, but the ball kept moving, Ben Chambers hit some shots from inside and out, and that was enough for the visitors to end the first period up 10.

As the second quarter started, PGE seemed to settle down a bit on both ends, and with rookie Bennedict Mathurin leading the charge, they started to chip away at the deficit. It was suddenly harder for Springfield's offense to catch PGE's defense out of place early when the shots were actually falling on the other end, and some expected miscommunications on defense yielded some good looks for the home team. Fortunately, a barrage of outside shots in the final six minutes of the half not only allowed the Falcons to keep PGE at bay but extend the lead. Going into the break, the Red and Gold had put 70 points on the board and sunk 12 threes, with four of those coming from Malcolm Thomas off the bench. Fun was had by all.

Things remained the same for most of the second half, with Springfield in control. In the third period, it seemed like the Falcons were going to run away with it, since the threes kept falling and PGE kept making unforced, surprising mistakes on both ends. With a back-to-back against the Wolves waiting for them, no one could have really blamed an PGE team that knows it’s probably not making the playoffs for folding after Springfield got up by 21, and it seemed like they were going to. The Falcons’ bench checked in and had a few bad possessions, but in the end managed to still carry a 17-point lead to the final quarter. All that seemed required to secure the win after that was to trade some buckets for a while in the fourth quarter, which the Red and Gold managed just fine, and then run the clock out. But Rick Carlson had other plans.

PGE started intentionally fouling Jamison Jones III down 11 with just over five minutes to go. The strategy prevented the Falcons from running and taking three-pointers, but Jones III was making enough freebies to keep PGE at arm’s length as the clock ticked down, so it seemed like a more frustrating than effective plan. At the two-minute mark, when the strategy was no longer viable, Springfield led by 11, and a win seemed inevitable. Then in those last 120 seconds, the Falcons turned the ball over five times while facing a full-court press and fouled Johnson on a three-point attempt. Conor McCaffrey tried fo bring the ball up, but was doubled off ball and couldn't even get it. Every fear anyone could have had about the extremely young squad closing out games came true. PGE actually had a chance to tie the game with just under four seconds left, but fortunately a well-contested three missed.

*Game Notes *
* Wins aren’t supposed to matter this season, but it would have been a little sad to see Springfield lose like that, especially since the team looked good for most of the game. That said, it’s possible to make the case that the ugly ending was worth it after all, since dealing with adversity late is an important learning experience.