Blue Ducks storm FastBreak; move to 4-0
June 17, 2005 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Brevard Blue Ducks News Release
Melbourne, FL - The 428 fans who braved a wet, windy storm to make it down to the Clemente Center Thursday night were treated to the tightest game of the season, one which saw the Ducks behind for most of the evening.
Orlando got out of the gate quickly in a game that was a rematch of the Ducks opening night 120-108 win, taking a quick 8 to 1 lead. Brevard found itself in unfamiliar territory, down 28 to 20 at the end of the first quarter. Still down seven midway through the second, the Ducks got a boost off the bench from Norris Anderson and Adrian Malcom who each scored 4 points in an 8-0 run, enabling the Ducks to go into half-time up 48-47.
But Orlando came roaring back, taking the lead 4 times in a see-saw third period, before the Ducks went ahead 79-73 heading into the final quarter.
Once again, Orlando came back. This time, taking a 94-93 lead at 5:06 of the fourth, on a Darius Washington free throw. It stayed close until the 2:00 mark when Anthony Slater and then Adrian Malcolm sank two free throws each, to put the Ducks up by eight, ensuring the victory.
Free throws, which have been one of the few negatives for the Blue Ducks this season, helped them pull the game out in the end as they were fouled repeatedly by a FastBreak team looking to stop the clock and get back in the game by forcing a poor free throw shooting team to earn their points from the line. But their plan backfired as the Ducks calmly sank 12 of their last 14 foul shots. Brevard finished the game 38 for 55, for 69%.
The Ducks once again had a balanced attack, placing six players in double figures in scoring. Brevard was led by Shawn Conley with 20 points. Anthony Slater and Adrian Malcom each had 19. Slater had another strong overall game with 6 assists and 6 steals. Mark Christian, Jr. had only 12 points, but added 5 blocks and 4 steals. Earl Hines led Brevard with 8 rebounds.
Orlando was paced by Lynn Bright, who shot 13 for 24 from the field and 7 for 7 from the line, with one three pointer, to total 34 points.
The Blue Ducks play again this weekend, taking on the West Virginia Wild in back-to-back games this Saturday and Sunday at the Clemente Center.
For tickets, call (321) 751-BLUE or visit the website at www.BrevardBlueDucks.com. Tickets are also available at the Clemente Center box office which opens an hour before game time.
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United States Basketball League Stories from June 17, 2005
- Blue Ducks storm FastBreak; move to 4-0 - Brevard Blue Ducks
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