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Explosion come up short in Alberta, Canada

May 23, 2008 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Snohomish County Explosion News Release


ALBERTA, CANADA - May 23, 2008 - The Explosion came up just a bit short on Friday night in Alberta with the Chill wining 126-118. The start of the evening had the GM of Edmonton guaranteeing his fans that the team would win both games against the Explosion this weekend. A bold prediction from a first year team with previous wins over sub 500 teams in the IBL.

The Explosion led 3-0 with a Chris Keller three to start the game. Donald Watts looked sharp with a three point play to pull the lead 6-4 but both teams exchanged baskets in the first quarter before the Chill started to put pressure on the guards and came up with 21-9 twelve (12) point lead before a timeout was called by the Explosion with 6:36 left in the first quarter.

On a 21-15 run after the timeout with pressure defense from the Explosion and Steve Sir got frustrated and committed a hard foul against Justin James causing a technical foul on a 8-0 run from the Explosion. 21-17. The Chill ended the quarter ahead 35-30 with sloppy play form both teams turning over the ball.

The second quarter started out with fouls called on both teams but guard Donald Watts picked up his third foul two minutes into the quarter and the Chill led by as many as twelve points with the Explosion picking up their 5th foul with 7:47 in the second quarter. With a 49-36 score and a 13 point lead the Chill looked to be cruising until some great rebounding from point guard Greg Hendrick took control and got the Explosion back as close as 6 points with a 62 - 53 halftime lead.

At halftime Explosion former practice player Bruce Cooper (center) was the leading scorer with 13 points, Donald Watts had 9 points, and Chris Keller ended the half with 8 points as the Explosion trailed by 9 points.

The Explosion started the third quarter with a turnover from Justin James, and tralied by as many as 16 points in the third quarter. But the Explosion got the Chill in foul trouble with 8 minutes left in the quarter and took advantage of this with Jamaal Miller coming in and making two three point plays the hard way. Jamaal Miller was on fire in the third quarter with a huge long three pointer from 10 feet beyond the three point line to get the lead back to within ten points of the Chill. The Explosion got back into the game with great team play and at the end of the third quarter 93-86 trailing by just 7 points.

Donald Watts got caught out of place with a few minutes into the fourth quarter to pick up his 5th foul and had to sit on the bench until seven minutes left in the game. Greg Hendricks passed a floater as Justin James served up a slam to get the Explosion back within 6 points. With the Chill grabbing their 5 foul with nine minutes left in the game the Explosion were able to get to the foul line and cut into the lead. After Watts missed the second of two free throws Bruce Cooper added a put back to get the Explosion to within 5 points 118-113 with 2:30 to go in the fourth quarter. Cooper the bright star in the game picked up his 6th foul at the 2:30 mark on a reach in call to leave the game with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Miller after taking a hard foul early in the fourth quarter came back to isolate Mike Jones on the low block for a turnaround to bring the score within three at 118-115. With 1:16 left in the game Donald Watts fouled out on a hand check to leave the game with 20 points.

The Explosion played hack- a- Shac at the end of the game to try to get back into the game and sent Steve Sir to line to make 4 straight fouls in the final seconds to put the game out of reach.



International Basketball League Stories from May 23, 2008


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