Chill Head to Post Season
June 27, 2008 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Edmonton Chill News Release
After a disappointing final regular season loss at Tacoma, the Chill had less than 24 hours to wipe the slate clean and get ready to open the Western Conference Playoffs against the Portland Chinooks in a battle of the #4 and #5 seeds. It turned into another first in a season of milestones for Edmonton as they escaped with a 127-124 win and a terrific see-saw battle over Portland.
The first quarter of the ball game looked like a battle between evenly matched teams as both Edmonton and Portland made runs the largest lead at any time being seven. The Chill used a balanced attack as all nine players saw the floor and had at least one shot attempt. Jeff Dunn was the high man through the first twelve minutes with seven points including two deep balls, while the Chinooks' Dean Browne scored 10 points on nine shots. The Chill went into the first break with a 28-26 lead.
The up and down pace continued in the second period as team captain JR Patrick came alive and took control exploding for 12 points, six of which came from long distance. The Chill built a rare lead going up by seven with eight and a half to play, but Portland came back with a 10-0 run to take a three point lead of their own. For Portland, David Lucas came alive with 12 leading to a halftime lead for Edmonton, 65-62.
The second half opened much as the opening half went with tight action in this close fought game. For the fifth seeded Chinooks, they saw the emergence Kenny Tate as he helped his club build a brief nine-point lead as he went for 13 shooting from outside, inside, and from the line. For the Chill Rashaun Broadus led the way with 10 in the stanza. After 36 minutes, Portland had secured the lead by three 97-94.
Both teams had just 12 minutes to show they wanted one more night and they played it just that way battling each other to a 110-110 tie with just four minutes to play. From there, Portland was able to a six-point bulge before Edmonton closed to one on a three from JR Patrick. The teams continued the fight with the scoring locking again at 120 with two minutes remaining. From there Edmonton was able to sneak ahead by one 125-124 before Stephen Parker made a beautiful hesitation dribble followed by a twisting reverse layup for a 127-124 lead. The Chinooks had a nearly full shot clock to try and tie the game and the Chill needed to play 21 seconds of defense which they did, forcing two heavily guarded three-pointers to seal the win in the opening round of the IBL Western Conference Playoffs.
The top scorer for the game was Portland's David Lucas who simply could not miss in the second half and went for 38 while his teammate Kenny Tate notched 28. For the victorious Chill JR Patrick led the charge with 31 with Lee Scruggs and and Stephen Parker each also topping the 20-pooint barrier.
The Chill's second round game will be tomorrow at 6pm Edmonton time, and the club will have revenge on their minds as they will face the Bellingham Slam, the only team to have beaten the Chill on their home floor.
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International Basketball League Stories from June 27, 2008
- Chill Head to Post Season - Edmonton Chill
- Slam open playoffs against Edmonton tomorrow - Bellingham Slam
- IBL playoff preview - OSC Original by Jeff Duncan
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