Come-From-Behind Win Gives Portland Advantage in "Battle of the Bridge"
June 2, 2014 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Portland Chinooks News Release
PORTLAND - Interstate bragging rights were on the line Sunday evening in Eastmoreland as the Portland Chinooks won their second straight contest in the BOTB series in come-from-behind fashion, 136-131 over the Vancouver Volcanoes.
The visitors set the tone early, but the Chinooks managed to hang around until a 23-9 run to close the opening period gave Vancouver a 17-point lead, 43-26. Portland never stopped fighting and thanks to a 18-5 kick start to the second quarter, we suddenly had a ball game with the lead trimmed to four. The Volcanoes would push things back to double digits on several occasions and drop 72 on the Chinooks in the first half, the most surrendered by Portland in a half this season.
The first part of the third period had a familiar flavor, but then things started to turn around for the home team, roaring back to get within 93-92 headed to the final period. Things were just as close at the midway point before Portland turned things around and took the lead for good late, leading by as much as six. Vancouver still had a chance to tie on a three with just under five seconds remaining, but Cory Largent's attempt failed and the Chinooks (7-2) held on for victory.
Jared Cunningham scored a season-high 36 points and filled the stat sheet with eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. Germain Jordan added 34 points and eight rebounds. Steffen Harvey (6'1" G Warner Pacific) delivered a season-high eighteen points and Justin Steinke came through with seventeen.
It was a night of season best performances as Vancouver's Andre Murray caught fire for 38 points on eight triples, both highs on the year.
The win gives Portland a 2-1 advantage in the five-game regular season series, and keeps them on par for first place in the IBL. The Chinooks trail Bellingham by just one game in the standings. Both have just two losses, but the Slam have played two more games. Vancouver falls to 6-4, having lost four of their last five contests.
Your Chinooks looks to move even closer to the top spot when they face Salem this Tuesday night, June 3rd at 7:00pm. We invite you to cheer on your home team to victory at Eastmoreland Courts (3015 SE Berkeley Place). Tickets for all games are available at the door. You can also watch the action live with Jeremy Scott on the call at youtube.com/IBLHoops or IBL.com.
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International Basketball League Stories from June 2, 2014
- Come-From-Behind Win Gives Portland Advantage in "Battle of the Bridge" - Portland Chinooks
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