Aftershock Sting Buzz for First Round Playoff Win
March 13, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Los Angeles Aftershock News Release
Dion Bailey was missed by teammates and staff after he accepted a contract to play in Mexico in February, he showed everybody why on Sunday night versus the Orange County Buzz.
During the first quarter, LA and OC traded for the lead several times. Ronell Mingo picked up two quick fouls for the Buzz allowing Eric Maye to get off to a hot start scoring the first 8 of 10 points for the Buzz. However, Matthew Houser responded with his own 8 points in the first. The Aftershock looked impressive early by showing great ball movement and execution. The Buzz was able to walk away with a first quarter lead 30-22.
After Orange County's All-Star and leading scorer Lamar Gayle had 6 points in the first, LA's Jamar Cramer got into a defensive lock down. Lamar Gayle would not score again for the rest of the game. With the defensive presence beginning to pick up for the Aftershock, Aftershock's Will Burr began to heat up from long range. After hitting two free throws, Burr hit two consecutive 3-pointers and a long range two-pointer at the buzzer to pull the Aftershock within 4 at the half, 48-44.
Coach Smith stated after the game, "We wanted to keep the same defensive energy going into the second half as we had in the second quarter." The Aftershock did just that. Forwards Ron Strange, Corey Williams, and Matthew Houser kept Orange County's mid-season star Ronell Mingo in foul trouble and allowed no made field goals. LA outscored OC 26-17 in the third, giving the Aftershock a 65-70 lead.
With momentum in favor of LA, Orange County would need a spark and they found it in Kevin Bradley scoring 11 of the Buzz's 21 fourth quarter points. However, Aftershock's Dion Bailey would match that 11 points in the fourth including an impressive 3-D lay-up that resulted after a back court steal. With only 11 seconds left, Bailey spun off his defender to hit a 18 foot bank shot from the top of the key to put LA up 89-86. With only seconds remaining, the Buzz inbounded the ball to Kevin Bradley who was called out-of-bounds with his foot on the sideline. With Orange County forced to foul with only 4 seconds left, who other than Dion Bailey to step to the line to ice the game with two made free throws giving the Aftershock a 91-86 victory over Burrel Lee and the Buzz.
"I am so proud of our guys, especially Dion. It is gradifing when you have a player like Dion that was with us for most of the season come back after a trip to Mexico. His intensity is uncomparable and his loyalty is without question," stated president and owner Shawn Blattenberger. Bailey lead the Aftershock with 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals. Matthew Houser had 19 points and 7 rebounds and both Thomas Blunt and Will Burr finish with 15 points. Blunt also pulled down 8 rebounds as did Jamar Cramer, who had 13 points. LA proved they could share the ball by having 17 assists as a team. Eric Maye and Kevin Bradley both finished with 16 each respectively for Orange County.
LA will have a tough challenge in front of them when they face the San Jose SkyRockets on March 18th at 5 pst. The game will be held at Santa Clara University. The Aftershock are looking to redeem themselves from a three point loss to the SkyRockets earlier in the year.
All Aftershock games can be heard on the web at the teams web site with pre-game shows beginning 30 minutes before game time with Head Coach Andre Smith.
For more information, contact the L.A. Aftershock staff by phone at (714) 470-1122 or by e-mail at info@laaftershock.com.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
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