Miracles Stun Mill Rats with Big 4th Quarter
May 5, 2016 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Saint John Riptide News Release
Saint John Mill Rats Drive against the Moncton Miracles
(Saint John Riptide)
(SAINT JOHN, NB): The Saint John Mill Rats high octane offense came to a grinding halt in the fourth quarter, as the Moncton Miracles put 35 points on the board and stole Game 2, 97-89 at Harbour Station.
The series is now tied 1-1 and shifts to the Moncton Coliseum for Game 3 on Saturday night.
"We played well for stretches, but didn't execute a full 48 minutes like we did last night" said Mill Rats Head Coach Rob Spon. "And you can't do that against a good team like Moncton."
"The aren't just going to roll over because we are the Mill Rats, we are going to have to go there and play a full 48 minutes on Saturday night."
The first quarter started on the wrong note as Moncton jumped out to an 11-5 start. Saint John then went on a 15-0 tear to lead 20-11. A James Justice three pointer at the buzzer cut the Mill Rats lead to just 25-23.
In the second quarter, the Mill Rats began clicking and poured in 26 points while holding the Miracles to just 15, to lead 51-38 at the half.
Saint John held a 72-62 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Mill Rats went ice cold in the fourth scoring just 10 points while Moncton put up 27 to take an 89-82 lead with 2 minutes left. Gabe Freeman scored and was fouled to cut the deficit to 89-85, but the Miracles Dexter Strickland nailed 8 straight free throws and the Mill Rats were unable to close the gap.
The Mill Rats were led by Gabe Freeman with 18 points, Doug Herring Jr 16, Anthony Stover 14, Ricky Volcy 12, Anthony Anderson 11, and Johnny Mayhane 11. Dexter Strickland scored 24 for Moncton.
Saint John shot just 38% for the game and only 26% from the three point line. Moncton shot 13-32 from three point range (41%).
If the series is not settled by Sunday, Game 5 will be at Harbour Station on Tuesday May 10th at 7 PM.
Round 1 Series Schedule (Saint John leads 1-0)
Game 1: May 4th 7PM at Harbour Station (Saint John 126-98)
Game 2: May 5th 7PM at Harbour Station (Moncton 97-89)
Game 3: May 7th 7PM at Moncton Coliseum
Game 4: May 8th 7PM at Moncton Coliseum (if necessary)
Game 5: May 10th 7PM at Harbour Station (if necessary)
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 Saint John Mill Rats Drive against the Moncton Miracles |
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National Basketball League of Canada Stories from May 5, 2016
- Hurricanes Defeat Storm in Game 1 - Halifax Hurricanes
- Miracles Stun Mill Rats with Big 4th Quarter - Saint John Riptide
- Mill Rats Game 2 of Playoff Series Tonight at Harbour Station - Saint John Riptide
- Windsor Extend Series Lead to 2-0 over Niagara, 100-97 - Windsor Express
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