Time slipped away, and the lead gradually evaporated. 60:56, then 64:60, then 66:64. Led by Ben Taylor, the Trojans had clawed back to a 68:68 tie in just five minutes.
By this point, Yang Cheng, who had been carrying the team’s burden single-handedly, was near total exhaustion. Without his control of the tempo, the score might have been leveled in half the time. Seeing the momentum shift, Coach Griffin finally called a timeout.
The Titans returned to the bench dejectedly. Harry looked at Yang Cheng and said, "Let me take over. Get some rest."
Yang Cheng smiled, though his eyes showed he wasn't sure if the rookie could hold the line.
Coach Griffin made his assignment: "Leo Miller, Kong Yuheng, Chen Chao, Zack Hayes, and Harry Lane. You five are going in."
Even Harry was stunned. What
