Horizon handle pride, 127-103, in EBA opener
March 7, 2004 - Eastern Basketball Alliance (EBA)
Harrisburg Horizon News Release
The Harrisburg Horizon beat the New York Pride 127-103 last night in the Eastern Basketball Alliance season opener.
The Horizon took a 4-2 lead two minutes into the game and never looked back. Forward Kevin Rowe scored 13 of Harrisburg's first 15 points, helping them to a 38-19 lead early in the second quarter. Rowe finished with a team-high 32 points and 9 rebounds.
"My teammates were looking for me down court," said Rowe. "We were getting out in the open floor and I was the recipient of a lot of good passes in the open floor, [which led to] a lot of layups."
Forward Willie Chandler added eight first half points off the bench as the Horizon substituted early and often. All of their players scored in the first half.
The Pride, behind guard Jonathan Frank's 15 first half points, chipped away at the Horizon lead to make it 57-47 at the half. Frank finished with a game-high 35 points.
But the Horizon were hot to start the second half, going on a 17-3 run that was highlighted by a Mike Shue's three-pointer and a Wendell Daniel three-point play. The Pride managed to get to within ten with five minutes remaining, but Harrisburg hit a couple three-point shots to extend the lead for good.
"I thought everybody played well," said Horizon coach Al Clocker. "I think it was a typical first game. We need to work on some continuity, but I think positive signs are there and we're only going to get better as time goes on."
The Horizon are looking for their third straight EBA title and will continue their season at home next Saturday at Penn State Harrisburg's Capital Union Building against Delaware. The Pride, who finished second last year, will play their next game against Delaware at home on March 21.
LADY PRIDE OUTLAST HORIZON, 84-79
The New York Pride outlasted the Harrisburg Horizon 84-79 last night in the Women's Eastern Basketball Alliance season opener.
Forward Texlin Quinney led the way for the Pride with 19 points and swung the momentum in favor of New York when she twice blocked Harrisburg center Audrey Codner at the doorstep, leading to a layup at the other end.
New York was able to maintain a slim lead in the final minutes thanks to Harrisburg turnovers and a timely ten-foot turnaround jumper from guard Lawanda Greene with less than two minutes remaining in the game.
Guard Safiyyah Bashir led the Horizon with 18 points to go along with her team-high 10 rebounds.
The Horizon took a nine point lead late in the first half thanks to a pair of Hilary Waltman fast break layups. The Pride responded by methodically chipping away at the lead and Octavia Brown's buzzer-beating layup gave the Pride a one point advantage at halftime.
A three-point play from Harrisburg guard April Longo capped off a 13-3 run by the Horizon to start the second half. Then, WEBA MVP and former WNBA guard Tora Suber got hot after going 1-7 from the field in the first half. Suber started driving to the basket, converting layups, and helped New York gain back the lead for good with under seven minutes to go in the game. Quinney also was hot down the stretch, scoring three times in a row for New York.
The Pride have now won three in a row against the Horizon and have beaten their biggest rival. The Pride will continue their quest to repeat as league champions at home against Delaware on Mar. 21. The Horizon, who finished in second place last season, will play Delaware at home next Saturday. New York will face Harrisburg in the final game of the season May 8 in Harrisburg, in a game that may have serious championship implications.
Eastern Basketball Alliance Stories from March 7, 2004
- Horizon handle pride, 127-103, in EBA opener - Harrisburg Horizon
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