Legends win 115-112
April 15, 2011 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Albany Legends News Release
With a packed crowd at Christian Brothers Academy, The Albany Legends opened the defense of their 2010 IBL Title with a 115-112 victory over the Kankakee Soldiers. The Legends started up right where they left off, taking the first Quarter 24-16. Scott McRay Damone Morris and DeAndre Thomas were perfect from the field shooting a combined 9 for 9 from the field. The Soldiers didn't seem like they were finding their touch as the only person to make more than one basket in the quarter was Ryan Edwards who shot 4/5. The second quarter started with EJ Gallop hitting 3 of 4 from outside the arc to pace the Legends to a 17 point lead, but then Billy Baptist came out of nowhere dropping 8 for 8, including a deep 3, helping the Soldiers take a 2 point lead into the half 58-56. Out of the break, Baptist again put the weight on his shoulders opening with 2 more baskets of his own and the Soldiers opened the gap to 10. But then DeAndre Thomas kicked it into another gear scoring the next 4 baskets of the quarter, adding 2 blocks and an assist in the paint to Scotty McCray to bring the Legends back to within 2. But Baptist though would not go quietly he would then score two more including another big three which forced the Legends to call timeout. The timeout seemed to help as EJ Gallop would open with a deep three and Legends newcomer Adam Abdourhamane would add 2 big defensive rebounds to back it up with 2 baskets of his own to pull them out to a 2 point lead. Just when we thought the quarter could end any better as the Legends had a narrow 2 point advantage Emanuel Mayben hit a 3 at the buzzer from a beautiful pass by Morris to give them a 5 point lead. The 4th quarter went back and forth with each team going basket for basket. A smart play by Mayben to force a couple fouls put him at the line a total of 5 times and hitting all 5 including a 3 shot foul sealed the deal for the Legends who are now 1-0 to start the 2011 season with the 115-112 win. Billy Baptist and Ryan Edwards led all scorers with 36 and 26 points respectively. While DeAndre Thomas had 22 to pace the Legends. The Game 2 of the Albany/Kankakee Series is tomorrow night at Christian Brothers Academy. 7:05 tip off.
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