It seems like Gabriel's airballed free throw was an omen to this game's horrible free throw shooting.

The Matrices shot a horrendous 25% (4/16) from the line as they were handed their first loss of the season, a 40 - 48 decision by Wild West. Nobody in the team shot over 50% on free throws. Gabriel was 1/7 and Kenneth was 1/5.

"I was very frustrated!" said Gabriel, who could have made two more free throws if he hadn't stepped on the line," I was very mad at myself. It would have been a close game if I could make those free throws. I just plain sucked today at the line. I took the blame for the loss."

The Matrices were shorted-handed in this game as they were without their starting center, Wong Ching Hei, their sharp shooting small forward, Anthony Shiu, and their top perimeter defender, Rex Yiu. Kenneth picked up the slack and scored a team high 14 points and Maxwell Yim added 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

It was a close game since neither team led by more than 10 points. Kenneth got into the groove early in the game. He opened the game with a steal and a fastbreak layup, following by a three pointer from the left wing. Wild West hit a shot near the basket to make it 5 : 2. Kenneth then scored on another fastbreak basket to extend the lead to 7:2. IP, a high scoring player of Wild West, hit 1 of 2 free throws. Maxwell Yim later hit a tough fade away shot from the baseline and the score was 9:3. Wild West then reeled off three straight baskets to end the quarter leading 9:10.

The Matrices started the second quarter with fire and almost ran Wild West out of the building. Maxwell Yim made 1 of 2 from the line to begin the quarter. Kong then scored on two consecutive baskets, one of which was a furious coast-to-coast fastbreak drive. Senne connected 1 of 2 foul shots to make it 15:10. Wild West stopped the 6 - 0 run with a three pointer. Gabriel scored another fastbreak layup for the Matrices to protect the lead at 17:13. IP tied the game again by scoring back-to-back baskets. Maxwell Yim, who leads the league in three point made, responded with a three pointer to put the Matrices back up front, 20:17. The Matrices started to pick up the tempo as Gabriel and Kenneth were constantly pushing the ball up court. Gabriel found Kenneth for a wide-open jumper for two points. Kenneth drove in heavy traffic and scored again. Then Gabriel stole the ball and was fouled on yet another fastbreak. He hit the first one, his only made free throw for the night, and stepped on the line in his second attempt, though making the shot. IP kept the score closer with another basket. In the next possession, Gabriel and Kenneth together directed a fine play. Gabriel pushed the ball upcourt in traffic and threw a no-look pass to Kenneth for a basketball and a foul. However, Kenneth missed the free throw attempt. Wild West scored the next three points of the quarter and the Matrices led 27:22 at the break.

The third quarter was all under Wild West's control. IP started the quarter with two free throws. Maxwell then hit two three pointers in short intervals to make it 33:26 but these were the Matrices' last baskets in the third quarter. Wild West busted out a 10 - 0 run and held the Matrices without a basket for at least half of the third quarter. The quarter ended with Wild West leading 33 - 36.

"The third quarter was the critical point, " said Kenneth, "I had to stay on the bench due to foul trouble. With Gabriel struggling for the night and Maxwell failing to get open looks, we pretty much had no scoring option on the floor." Kenneth scored 13 of his 14 points in the first half and scored only 1 point the second.

The free throw nightmare began in the fourth quarter for the Matrices. Wild West scored in the paint to complete their 10 - 0 run. Gabriel then ended the run with a basket underneath to put it 35:38. Wild West then had another easy basket off a rebound. Gabriel had a chance to pull the team within two points but failed to complete a three play. He later missed another free throw and wasted one made by stepping on the line the second time in the game. The Matrices had several chances on narrowing the lead but Kenneth missed two wide-open layups. On the other hand, Wild West got a solid effort from the bench. Their bench player scored the next 4 points to give them a 37:44 lead. Kenneth made only 1 of 2 at the line and Justin scored on a fastbreak off an assist from Gabriel, his sixth in the game, to pull within 40:44, but it was too late. The Matrices had to foul and Wild West calmly made the free throws and won the game, 40 - 48.

The Matrices had something to say about their opponents after the game.

"They have a solid team, " said Gabriel, " IP was definitely a terrific player and their bench produced tonight. We gave them credit for winning."

"However, " Gabriel added, " I didn't like the way they trash-talked. It really got to my nerves."

" I didn't think we played a bad game, " Justin commented, " yes, we did miss a lot of free throws but everybody played hard and we played terrific fastbreak basketball. The guys pushed the ball hard and attacked the basket. It was a great game."