The most memorable multi-overtime game I can remember in my lifetime took place 11 years ago, when Syracuse defeated UCONN 127-117 in the Big East Tournament in a game that went to six overtimes. I was in eighth grade at the time, and I remember feeling lucky that it took place while I was on spring break so I could actually stay up until midnight and watch the entire game. Of all the crazy things that happened in that game, I still think the one thing that stands out is Johnny Flynn played in 67 of a possible 70 minutes of this game (maybe this is what led to his injury problems in the NBA), scoring 34 points and making all 16 free throws he attempted.

I can remember two triple-overtime games that I’ve witnessed in UH: SoCal Select defeating Rec City 96-89 in the 2016 Las Vegas National Tournament, and the Pilots defeating the Yellow Jackets 77-74 in the Dream League in 2017. Both were instant classics, and two of the better UH games that I’ve ever watched, but they both fell two overtimes short of last night’s battle between The Originals and Omar Tires in the Fridley Rec-Plus League.

When I first saw that The Originals won this game 132-127, I assumed at least one overtime was involved. Since moving to the rec-plus format, UH games in Minnesota have routinely seen higher scores, but this was on the level of UH Arizona or UH Las Vegas. I was shocked to see five overtimes, as I’ve never heard of a game going over three overtimes in my four-plus years working for UH (I’m sure there have been a few, I just can’t remember any).

This game was loaded with offensive talent, and it was on full display. These teams combined to shoot 94-166 from the field (57%) and 30-69 from deep (43%). Those numbers are made even more impressive when you consider that The Originals only had five players, so they all had to play 59 minutes, while Omar Tires only had six players, so they each had to play the majority of the game as well.

MVP candidate Kevin Thompson had the most impressive individual stat line, as he had game-highs in points (48) and rebounds (18), and he added five assists and four steals.

Jake Gave earns Player of the Game honors for me though, as he scored 38 points on 12-14 shooting from the field and 11-13 from the free-throw line, adding nine rebounds and six assists in a winning effort. Despite this being the most points Gave has scored in a game since June 14, 2017, when he scored 46 in a 95-84 loss (in a four-on-four game), the highlight of his performance did not come from any scoring play.

“My proudest moment of the game was winning the last two tip offs with Kevin after losing the first four by a mile,” Gave said.

While I’m sure neither team wanted to play into five overtimes (especially since they were both shorthanded), this couldn’t have come at a better time in the schedule, as the combined rec-plus playoffs will start next Thursday with three play-in games that neither of these teams will have to play in. They can both ice up and prepare for the round of 16, which is set to start on Wednesday, March 11 at Bloomington South.

The Originals outlast Omar Tires in a five-overtime epic in Fridley