A high school boys basketball game between Westtown School and Phelps School in Malvern came to a close in a unique finish that, to some people, may have been as confusing as it was exciting. As reported by Manning Snyder for The Philadelphia Inquirer, the conclusion featured the “Elam Ending.”

The use of this finale represented one of the first high school basketball games in the nation in which the Elam Ending was employed. When organizing the mid-season tournament known as the PA Cup, Westtown coach Seth Berger and Phelps coach John Harmatuk agreed in advance to use the format if they were to face each other.

The alternative finish to basketball games has four major components. The biggest change is that the first dead ball in the final four minutes of the game prompts the turning off of the clock. Then, the target score is set by adding eight points to the leading team’s score. The first team that reaches this target score wins.

During the Saturday game, Westtown managed to keep its advantage and win, but Phelps overcame its deficit at one point, making the ending that much more interesting.

“(John and I) loved the experience, we loved the kids to have a great experience,” said Berger.

Read more about the Elam Ending in The Philadelphia Inquirer.