The Splash Brothers struck again, scoring consecutively.
Tai Lawson also smartened up, no longer directly challenging Li Feng, and tried to avoid him.
The scores of both teams rose alternately, making the game very close.
With 6 minutes and 37 seconds left in the second half, the two teams were tied again, 58:58!
This was the third tie in the game!
This was truly an NCAA final, so intense and close!
Coach Mike Krzyzewski was worried about the referees on the sidelines. If Li Feng and Curry committed one more foul, they would have to sit out.
Just as Li Feng and Curry were preparing to push harder and widen the score, the referee's whistle blew again.
It was a blocking foul called on Curry!
The Wildcats players' expressions changed.
Curry had four fouls and had to leave the court temporarily.
Coach Mike sighed to the heavens, foreseeing that the game was in danger.
Curry shook his head, unwillingly heading to the bench.
Li Feng's expression was grave; he knew how important Curry was to the team.
But with the situation as it was, he could only carry the team forward alone!
After Curry left the court, North Carolina began to double-team Li Feng fiercely. Moreover, North Carolina exploited Li Feng's psychology: he could not afford another foul.
With Li Feng restricted, the Wildcats fell into trouble on both ends of the court.
The offense stalled, and the defense became lax, allowing North Carolina to widen the gap.
Tai Lawson exploded again, scoring 14 points in the third quarter, outscoring Li Feng's 7 points and Curry's 6 points.
With 11 minutes and 32 seconds left in the third quarter, the score was 73:61, with North Carolina leading by 12 points.
Head coach Mike had no choice but to call a timeout, as Li Feng was too exhausted.
Although a 12-point deficit wasn't huge, the Wildcats were completely at a disadvantage on the court.
Li Feng walked off the court expressionlessly, gasping for air.
Curry sat beside Li Feng and whispered, "I'm sorry."
Li Feng forced a smile, "Don't say that, you didn't mean to."
Coach Mike took out his tactical board and continued to set up the strategy, very dissatisfied with the team's defense.
Logically, the substitute lineup should be brought in next.
However, with the Wildcats trailing so much, they had no room for error.
Therefore, Li Feng and Curry prepared to return to the court, to catch up with the score first.
Coach Mike was helpless and had to agree.
After the timeout, the Splash Brothers teamed up, instantly closing the gap.
Li Feng hit a logo three-pointer first, and then Curry sank a three-pointer from the corner.
Following that, Li Feng drove to the basket for a 2+1!
With 13 minutes and 46 seconds left in the third quarter, the two teams were tied again!
The dominance of the Splash Brothers was terrifying.
Just when everyone thought the Splash Brothers would turn the tide again, the referee's whistle pushed the Wildcats to the brink of despair once more.
Curry committed his fifth foul and was disqualified.
The Wildcats players looked ashen, and Li Feng held his head, an expression of disbelief on his face.
The Wildcats fans in the stands let out a collective groan, believing the Wildcats were doomed to lose.
After Curry left the court, North Carolina rallied again, extending the lead to 15 points.
At this point, only 3 minutes and 14 seconds remained in the game.
With such little time left and a 15-point deficit, it was practically hopeless.
The Wildcats fans were very disappointed, and some had already left the venue.
In the live broadcast studio of China Central Television's sports channel, Coach Zhang shook his head repeatedly.
Yang Jian also felt there was no hope, and sighed, asking, "Coach Zhang, what adjustments do you think the Wildcats need to make to turn this game around?"
Coach Zhang's expression was solemn as he slowly said, "Unless Li Feng can transform into Jordan and turn the game around with his own strength, there is no hope."
Yang Jian nodded, "But Li Feng is too restricted, and others can't step up. With Curry out, all factors are currently against the Wildcats."
"But I always feel that Li Feng won't give up. This kid has an innate stubbornness that I really like!"
"Yes, Li Feng performed exceptionally well in the last Olympics. If it weren't for James and Kobe's joint game-winning shot at the end, the championship would have been ours!"
"If Li Feng can really make a comeback, he will truly be deified. I don't watch much NCAA, but a 15-point deficit in 3 minutes, and still being able to come back, is something I've never seen before."
"That's for sure. Even in the NBA, it's rarely seen."
...
At this moment, the North Carolina coach called a timeout because the North Carolina starters were also tired, and they dared not rest.
Tai Lawson and Danny Green had played 16 consecutive minutes in the second half.
Li Feng sat on the bench, looking at the scoreboard. A 15-point deficit; was the game really going to be lost?
Suddenly, he remembered the system.
That's right, there was still the [Team Soul] skill. Li Feng immediately used this skill again.
Perhaps it was because the previous games had gone too smoothly, Li Feng hadn't used this skill for a long time and almost forgot about it.
But with only over 3 minutes left, Li Feng was uncertain if he could catch up with a 15-point deficit.
He could only try his best.
After the timeout, the game resumed. Li Feng regained his leadership demeanor, clapping vigorously, encouraging his teammates to rally.
"Brothers, it's just a 15-point deficit! Come on! We will definitely come back!"
Li Feng's words once again inspired his teammates.
For NCAA players, the commercial atmosphere was not as intense. What they wanted was victory and the process of the game.
It was unlike the NBA, where various interests were intertwined, and the games were not as pure.
This was why March Madness in the NCAA had such high viewership.
Especially the final game, which even made the NBA yield.
There were no NBA games scheduled today; it was like this every year.
The Wildcats players were no longer dejected. Winning or losing was not that important, but they had to fight for it!
Here we come, the last three minutes!
...
Li Feng took the court with a fierce look.
On the first possession, he stole the ball from Tai Lawson from behind and rushed to the frontcourt, slamming it in for a score!
North Carolina didn't panic, as they were still leading by 13 points with only 3 minutes and 01 second left.
Tai Lawson felt his pride wounded and wanted to retaliate.
He deliberately avoided Li Feng and drove from the left side.
Just as he thought he could score easily, Wildcats' Allison flew out from the side, delivering a huge block, swatting Tai Lawson's shot off the backboard!
With the boost from the [Team Soul] skill, Allison's abilities greatly increased, transforming into "Hakeem Olajuwon" and establishing a "no-fly zone" under the Wildcats' basket!
The ball bounced directly into the hands of Wildcats' Love Dale. Seeing Li Feng had already started, he immediately passed the ball to Li Feng near the half-court line.
Li Feng crossed the half-court again. North Carolina's Danny Green tried to stop Li Feng, willing to commit a foul.
But Li Feng didn't give him the chance to foul. With an acceleration, he left Danny Green behind and drove to the basket.
Bang!
Li Feng showed off a two-handed reverse dunk, scoring another 2 points!