GFAFB, UND vies for basketball victory

  • Published
  • By Steve Lowe
  • 319th Force Support Squadron
GRAND FORKS, N.D. --  University of North Dakota's team ranked number one in intramurals,U-Ball, won the first UND versus Grand Forks AFB Hoop It Up basketball challenge with a 84-76 victory in the championship game against student rivals Justice. This was the first partnership sports program between the intramural programs of UND and the Air Force base that will, hopefully, continue through various sports during the year according to James Jeromchek, UND's sports director, and Steve Lowe, base sports director.

UND champs "U-Ball" made it into Saturday's final by the narrowest of margins and the most exciting game of the single elimination tournament, defeating the 319th Operations Support Squadron 56-55 in the first semi-final. Earlier in the day, in the other semi-final the college campus team Justice ran out winners over the 319th Maintenance Squadron 66-49 to join their fellow students in the final. In the other final game, base champions 319th Communications Squadron defeat Lil'Kobes from the university 63-58 to claim the consolation final and fifth place overall.

The two day event started the evening of Jan. 30, with eight teams being ranked into a single elimination bracket, and the first round scores saw 319 OSS defeat Lil'Kobes 55-35, U-Ball over the 319th Medical Group 100-51, Justice ran away 78-48 over 319 CS and MXS, easing past Staches 86-57. The four winners advanced to Saturday's semi-finals, and, to encourage participation and guarantee minimum two games for each team, saw the four losers play out a consolation bracket late Friday. In these two games, 319 CS sneaked past Staches 75-74 and Lil'Kobes won against MDG to set up Saturday's consolation final.


According to Maj. Brian Lewis, 319th Force Support Squadron commander, this was a great experience for all basketball players and the family members that showed up at the immaculate UND Student Wellness Center to cheer on their squadron teams.

Major Lewis presented the individual awards to the university team following the championship game, praising them for their efforts and outstanding level of sportsmanship throughout.