Defending boys basketball champ Eastvale Roosevelt knocked off by Plainfield of New Jersey in The Throne national quarterfinals

The pursuit of back-to-back titles at The Throne national boys basketball showcase ended in unceremonious fashion Thursday for California Open Division state champion Eastvale Roosevelt against local program Plainfield of New Jersey at The Rink at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford.

Brayden Burries, a McDonald’s All-American, tied the score on a three-point play with 19 seconds remaining for the top-seeded Mustangs, but sophomore Micah Gordon was fouled on the perimeter with 2.3 seconds left and sank the deciding free throws to lift the Cardinals to a dramatic 69-67 quarterfinal victory in the eight-team, single-elimination event.

The Cardinals won for the 28th time in 30 games and are scheduled to compete at 9 p.m. EDT Friday in the semifinals against Allen from Texas, with the Eagles advancing following a 71-56 victory Thursday over the Justices of John Marshall in Virginia.

The Mustangs had the ball deflected out of bounds on the ensuing possession following Gordon’s go-ahead free throws, resulting in the defending Throne champions having another opportunity to inbound the ball along the far baseline with 1.3 seconds remaining.

Burries attempted a desperation heave from beyond half court, but the shot occurred after time expired.

Burries was selected the MVP of last year’s Throne event after averaging 27 points and eight rebounds for the Mustangs, who secured a 53-50 victory in the final against Columbus from Florida.

Burries had 32 points, 19 rebounds, four assists and two steals Thursday against the Cardinals, but it wasn’t enough to help the Mustangs return to the semifinals.

Brayden Burries of Eastvale Roosevelt boys basketball team | Photo courtesy of The Throne

Gordon, who was recognized as player of the game, produced 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists, including four clutch free throws down the stretch.

Gordon increased the Cardinals’ advantage to 67-64 with 27 seconds left on a pair of free throws, before Burries helped the Mustangs tie the score for the eighth time after driving the length of the court for a layup and converting a free throw to complete the three-point opportunity.

Burries recorded a steal with seven seconds remaining, but Mustangs coach Stephen Singleton didn’t have his request for a timeout granted by officials, and following a loose ball situation in front of the Cardinals’ bench, possession was awarded to the team from New Jersey.

After receiving the inbound pass near half court, Gordon attempted to drive along the left sideline and made contact with Isaac Williamson of the Mustangs, resulting in a foul being called with 2.3 seconds left and Gordon returning to the free-throw line.

Gordon finished 7 of 10 on free-throw opportunities for the contest, with the Cardinals making 13 of 17 free-throw attempts overall.

Burries was 4 of 7 for the Mustangs, the only free throws attempted Thursday by the California Open Division state champions.

Myles Walker had 15 points, eight assists, five rebounds and three steals for the Mustangs, before the senior fouled out in the final minute.

Williamson added 13 points and four rebounds, with fellow senior Dominic Copenhagen scoring five points and freshman Cameron Anderson contributing a basket for the Mustangs, who made only 9 of 28 3-point field goal attempts.

Najai Hines, a senior center, added 15 points, 13 rebounds and five blocked shots, with junior Rashawn Williams contributing eight points and 10 rebounds for the Cardinals, who stretched a three-point halftime lead into a 52-46 advantage entering the fourth quarter.

The Mustangs suffered only their third loss in 38 contests, all against teams outside of California, including Brennan from Texas and Gonzaga Prep of Washington D.C.

Eastvale Roosevelt was competing for the first time since capturing the Open Division state title March 15 with an 80-60 victory against Archbishop Riordan at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

Burries is still scheduled to compete April 1 in the McDonald’s All-American game at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.