Bisons Take Home ABA Title
March 23, 2009 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Kentucky Bisons News Release
Nashville, TN. March 23, 2009 -Sunday Night in Nashville, TN at Municipal Auditorium the Kentucky Bisons stepped on to the court to play for the ABA (American Basketball Association) Championship title. Owensboro's minor league Pro basketball team had done in their first season what others have tried to do year after year, be in the final championship game. The match up against the Maywood Buzz, a veteran team from California, was not only the most important game of the season; it was undoubtedly the most exciting. These two physical teams fought their way into the championship by playing the game in a style that is made for the true sports fanatic.
Maywood set the tone by doing what they have done all year, letting their star point guard Wesley Stokes run the team. The first quarter was very close with Kentucky's duo in the paint #21 Boris Siakam, and #12 Kenny Jones working hard to establish the inside game. At the end of the first quarter Kentucky trailed, and would continue to run behind most of the game. Holding the lead had Maywood constantly fighting off Kentucky. The Bisons continually launched runs on Maywood never falling more than eight points behind in the first half. The second quarter ended with the Bisons down 63-69.
The second half proved even tougher for Kentucky as they found themselves in a hole trailing by as much as eighteen points. The Bisons being true to their style rose to the challenge and cut the lead to five early in the fourth quarter. Maywood had other plans and quickly beat down Kentucky opening up the gap back up to thirteen. Around the five-minute mark of the fourth, the crowd of faithful Kentucky fans, the "Bisonsheads" cheered on their team like never before. Never once giving up, this team of players started to rally together as they have done before causing the momentum to swing their way. As they took the lead with under three minutes left, the Kentucky Bisons reminded the Buzz and everyone else why they were there winning the tournament championship 127-120.
Mike James point guard for the Bisons remarked, " It was one of the most physical games that I ever played in my entire sports career". James who was voted Most Valuable Player finished the game scoring 16 points, with 7 rebounds and 6 assists. The high scorer for Kentucky was Mike Wells with 26 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks. Wells had 24 of his points coming from eight 3-point baskets leading the Bisons to the title. Brandon Stockton was also knocking down 3's hitting six total, four came in the last quarter. Stockton finished with 24 points, and 4 assists. Kenny Jones had 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals. Elgrace Wilborn had 12 points, and 9 rebounds, and Boris Siakam finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.
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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American Basketball Association Stories from March 23, 2009
- Championship Cup Not the Only Trophy Bisons Take Home - Kentucky Bisons
- Bisons Take Home ABA Title - Kentucky Bisons
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