Twin Guns

"Defense! Defense!"

As Marquette University's players retreated to set up their half-court defense, the cheers in the arena turned into chants for defense.

The momentum was overwhelming. Butler's previous basket had completely ignited the home-court atmosphere.

Marquette University's overall defensive intensity had visibly risen.

Butler's mental toughness was simply off the charts.

After UConn returned from the timeout, Lamb became their primary option, but Butler stuck to him like glue. Lamb ran through multiple screens without finding an opening, and when he finally received the ball and forced up a shot, it was contested and he missed it.

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

UConn had Tang Tian, but Marquette had Butler!

They were not afraid of a battle of individual defense!

"Let's go, Golden Eagles!"

The on-site fans began actively cheering for their team. Marquette University was truly gaining momentum!

Butler continued to attack Tang Tian from the low post. That last basket had given him a great deal of confidence.

He backed down, made contact, spun, and shot. As he released the ball, he felt that he had not completely shaken Tang Tian off, and in the next second, his eyes were already on the backboard.

But just as the ball left his hand, a hand appeared above his head.

"Smack!"

Tang Tian had learned from the previous possession. This time, he timed his block perfectly and gave Butler no chance to crash the boards for Second Chance Points.

It was a resounding rejection. Tang Tian followed it by diving to the floor for the loose ball.

Butler reacted and lunged after it as well, but Tang Tian had already flicked the ball to Napier.

Napier secured possession, and Marquette University's possession ended without results.

A wave of restlessness swept through the arena.

Tang Tian's block and floor dive had been textbook. Marquette University's hard-earned momentum was abruptly stifled.

Napier did not rush the fast break, instead dribbling the ball slowly across half court.

UConn ran another set in the frontcourt, with Lamb still tightly guarded by Butler.

But at that moment, Tang Tian cut from the left corner to the right wing, using O'Riaqi's screen to get free for an Open Three-Pointer.

Butler's primary defense on Lamb, combined with Lamb's movement off the ball, drew Marquette University's defense away. Tang Tian's cut went virtually unguarded.

That was the defensive level of an average NCAA team. They had a defensive focus, but it was usually difficult for them to cover everything at once. That was one reason powerhouse schools like Duke and Kentucky were so strong: they had too many NBA-level players, often leaving opponents unable to cover one threat without losing another.

Napier was far less aggressive than Walker, but he was a better passer. He quickly spotted Tang Tian and fired the pass over.

Tang Tian did not hesitate after catching it. He raised the ball and took the Open Three-Pointer.

The shot left his hand with incredible softness, its arc nearly perfect.

"Swish!"

With a crisp sound, Tang Tian hit UConn's first Three-pointer of the game!

12–6, UConn had taken a six-point lead!

The crowd stirred uneasily. The momentum that had been building had already been cut in half by Tang Tian's block, and this Three-pointer completely extinguished it!

Meanwhile, UConn's bench erupted with excited whistles and cheers.

The previous three-game losing streak had hurt the team's morale, but this game had brought all of that lost spirit rushing back at once!

Without the crowd behind them, Tang Tian's one offensive play and one defensive play had still noticeably raised UConn's defensive intensity on the court.

Butler found no opening under Tang Tian's tight defense, and his hurried pass was anticipated by Napier and picked off cleanly.

Napier pushed the Defensive Counterattack after the steal, with Lamb and Tang Tian both following immediately.

Tang Tian stopped early at the three-point line, drawing Butler over. Napier then delivered a beautiful behind-the-back pass in stride to Lamb, who was trailing on the other side.

Lamb also stopped outside the three-point line. After using a Pump Fake to send his defender flying past him, he rose and took the Three-pointer.

It was his third Three-point shot of the game. He had missed it on each of the first two.

The ball had a fine arc after leaving his hand.

"Swish!"

With a crisp sound, the ball dropped straight through the net.

First the drive, then the floater, then the Mid Range, and now the Three-pointer—Lamb had found everything!

"Beautiful!" Ollie could not help rising from the bench, pumping his fist as he shouted.

He absolutely loved seeing Lamb play like this!

Walker wore a smile as well.

As everyone knew, Lamb had plenty of talent. He had played quite well during the ten-game winning streak too, but there had always seemed to be something missing.

It had not been obvious before, but now it was clear: carry ability, the responsibility of being the core.

Now that Lamb had taken on that responsibility, he had truly come into his own.

Once Walker returned, UConn would have two powerful offensive threats. With Tang Tian as an elite 3-and-D player, they might truly be able to challenge superpower programs like Kentucky, Duke, and North Carolina.

It seemed his injury had not been entirely a bad thing after all.

Of course, he also knew that Tang Tian deserved credit for all of it. Whether things developed for better or worse could be decided in an instant, and Tang Tian's earlier violent attempt had forcibly turned what had been going bad around.

A teammate like that was impossible to find, even with a lantern.

The game continued. Allen hit a Mid-range jump shot to finally stop Marquette University's bleeding.

But on the next possession, Tang Tian got another opportunity on the perimeter. He showed the same accuracy he had displayed against Georgetown, raising up to hit another Three-pointer.

Butler felt particularly miserable at that moment.

When he guarded Tang Tian, Lamb scored. When he guarded Lamb, Tang Tian scored.

In this game, Lamb and Tang Tian had the feel of a pair of sharpshooting Twin Guns on the perimeter. No matter whom he defended, it felt wrong!

In the end, although Butler gave everything he had on the defensive end and continually tried to encourage his teammates, Lamb's Game Form was simply too good, and Tang Tian's presence on the perimeter stretched the defense. Marquette University was never able to come back.

70–60. UConn defeated Marquette University on the road and ended its three-game losing streak.

Their ten-game winning streak had begun at Marquette University, and their three-game losing streak ended there as well. UConn had truly become Marquette University's nemesis.

For Marquette University, Butler put up an empty 20 points and 6 rebounds, making only 6 of 22 shots. He had already found it difficult to perform under Tang Tian's defense, let alone after pouring so much energy into the defensive end.

For UConn, O'Riaqi delivered an outstanding 10 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while Napier added a solid 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists. But UConn's win tonight ultimately rested on the twin guns of Tang Tian and Lamb.

Tang Tian went 5-for-7 from the perimeter for an all-around line of 15 points, 5 Rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. Lamb went 11-for-20 overall and 2-for-6 from Three-pointer range, pouring in a Game High 26 points and 5 Rebounds.

After the game, UConn's players could not stop shouting as they walked toward the locker room.

Losing streaks felt awful, but ending one felt absolutely incredible!

Thanks to long1358, Blue Snow Wind Scar, Fang Yunling, Xingfeng Xiaoye, Xiaolou Huayeyu, ky185, A Ya B Ya, MCYM, and Wuxing Buque Ai for your reward support over the past week. I see every reward, and I am immensely grateful!