The home fans stirred with excitement when they realized what had happened.

Tang Tian could score!

Even though he hadn't scored in previous games, that didn't mean he lacked the ability to score!

It sounded strange, but that seemed to be the truth!

Bennett was furious.

This Tang Tian, his defense on Thompson in the first half was unexpected, and now he was hitting threes in the second half!

He was showcasing two abilities he hadn't shown in previous games, doing it all to spite him!

"Don't worry about him! Keep doubling!" He stood up and shouted to his players from the sidelines.

He refused to believe that a player who hadn't made a single three-pointer in previous games could suddenly start making them consecutively. It didn't make sense!

Washington State University's offense still couldn't score.

With Tang Tian on the court, UConn's other players could confidently let him defend his man, and the defensive intensity at other spots was fully guaranteed.

After Folsom grabbed the rebound, Walker continued to dribble the ball to the frontcourt.

Tang Tian continued to set a pick for him.

At this point, the strategy became very simple. It all depended on Bennett's choice: continue to double Walker or switch directly. If they continued to double, Tang Tian would keep shooting; if they didn't, Walker would directly attack their forward.

Thompson followed Bennett's tactical intention and chose to double Walker. Walker was prepared and passed the ball in advance.

The pass was even more comfortable than the previous one, and Tang Tian had a completely wide-open look after receiving the ball.

Everyone in the arena watched Tang Tian catch the ball with rapt attention.

"Will he shoot again?" The commentator couldn't help but ask from the commentary booth.

The answer was yes.

With such a wide-open look, there was no reason for Tang Tian not to shoot!

Aim, jump, release.

It felt exactly like it did in the training gym; the basket in front of him was as vast as the sea.

"Swish!"

Washington State University made a tactical adjustment in the second half, not letting Thompson be the main offensive focus. It was the right approach, but as a result, Tang Tian consumed very little energy on the defensive end, and his wide-open three-point shooting percentage was basically at its initial 97%.

Every shot found its mark.

Another three-pointer went in clean!

The point difference instantly widened to 12 points.

"Fuck!"

Bennett cursed out loud in anger and immediately called a timeout.

Tang Tian really could shoot!

Those two three-pointers negated all the effort he had put in during the second half.

UConn's bench went wild. When Tang Tian came off the court, they ran over to chest-bump and high-five him, ecstatic.

"Good job." Calhoun praised Tang Tian directly.

He was now somewhat grateful that he had seen Tang Tian shooting that night; otherwise, he, like Ollie, might have subbed Tang Tian out early, and they wouldn't have regained control of the game.

"Tang, where did you learn to shoot threes?" Ollie asked even more directly.

"I've been practicing all along; I knew the team would need it," Tang Tian replied casually.

At that moment, the other teammates all looked at him with a hint of admiration.

He was hiding his skills so well!

When the timeout ended, Washington State University scored a basket in the frontcourt, narrowing the point difference to 10 points. They temporarily stabilized the situation.

Back on the other end, UConn ran the pick-and-roll with Tang Tian and Walker again!

The strategy was clear: you're using Thompson to defend Walker, but I'm not going to let you do that. I'm forcing you to switch!

After Tang Tian set the pick, he continued to move to the three-point line. This time, Thompson didn't double.

Seeing this, Walker decisively dribbled past their forward with a change of direction, using his speed advantage to drive to the basket for a layup!

Only Thompson could defend Walker; the other players on Washington State University were simply not on the same level!

Bennett lowered his head helplessly on the sidelines.

After Tang Tian made those consecutive three-pointers, even if he didn't shoot again, his presence on the court was an absolute threat, and Thompson couldn't afford to double.

But if they didn't double, Walker would dominate like he did in the first half.

Looking up at Calhoun, who was also standing on the sidelines on the other half of the court, he suddenly felt a little envious. Why didn't Washington State University have a player like that?

Someone who could defend and shoot threes was a standard 3-and-D player, the kind of player that coaches loved the most.

In desperation, Thompson defied Tang Tian's defense and forced a three-pointer to give the home team a lifeline.

But back on the other end, Walker drew the opposing center's help defense and passed the ball to Olander under the basket, who dunked the ball uncontested.

Thompson wanted to continue to score with a three-pointer, but this time Tang Tian didn't give him any chance. His high-pressure defense directly blocked Thompson's forced shot.

UConn's fast break, Walker passed to Lamb, Lamb passed to Tang Tian, who was trailing behind. Tang Tian had a wide-open three-point opportunity, and he shot without hesitation.

In the almost despairing eyes of the home fans, the basketball drew a standard arc in the air and then cleanly fell through the net.

Tang Tian's third three-pointer of the second half!

Three for three!

Incredible!

Bennett had been shot to the point of being a bit dispirited, and he sat back on the bench, looking at the clock. He didn't even bother to call another timeout.

The home fans were completely deflated. Thompson was tightly guarded by Tang Tian, Washington State University's offensive tactics were ineffective, and they couldn't stop Walker on defense. The last few minutes of the game were completely devoid of suspense.

On the other hand, the more than a thousand fans who had made the trip to the away game were ecstatic. Before, all they could hear were the shouts and cheers of the home fans, which had hurt their eardrums. Now it was finally their turn.

It was fortunate that the fans in the United States were relatively friendly. If it were in China or Europe, the stands would have erupted into a brawl.

In the end, UConn maintained their lead until the end. Despite starting with a 0-9 deficit, they defeated Washington State University 75-61 on the road, winning the invitational tournament!

For Washington State University, Thompson had an off night, making only 5 of 17 shots for 16 points and 5 rebounds. Apart from him, the other players' shooting percentages were also below 40%.

As Tang Tian had predicted, this team was a typical star-driven team. If Thompson didn't perform well, the others wouldn't play well either.

For UConn, Walker had a brilliant performance, making 15 of 30 shots and scoring a season-high 36 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists. Lamb had 13 points and 3 rebounds, and Oriakhi had 8 points and 12 rebounds, 5 of which were offensive rebounds.

Tang Tian played a season-high 30 minutes, making all 3 of his three-point attempts and finishing with 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block.

After the game, the players from both teams shook hands and hugged each other as usual.

"You played great." Thompson, who had been defended by Tang Tian for the entire game, took the initiative to say when he hugged him.

"Thank you," Tang Tian said with a smile. He didn't say anything like "You played great too." Thompson was still a very gentle player.