Mill Rats Clinch Playoff Berth with Come from Behind Road Win
Published on March 13, 2013 under National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Saint John Riptide News Release
(Saint John, NB): The Saint John Mill Rats, presented by Rogers, clinched a berth in the NBL Canada Playoffs with a come-from-behind road win in Oshawa over the Power, 102-101. Kenny Jones scored the game winner on a reverse layup with 9 seconds left, and the Mill Rats defense held for a last gasp shot by Oshawa that missed off the glass as time expired.
With the win, Saint John clinches the #4 seed in the NBL Canada Playoffs, and can rise to #3 with a win on Friday at Windsor. Playoff ticket packages will be on sale at the Harbour Station Box Office starting tomorrow at noon, or by calling 506-657-1234. Season ticket holders will have until close of business on Wednesday March 20th to purchase their seats. All other seats are open to the public immediately.
The Mill Rats endured a brutal first half shooting performance going just 26% from the field. At the half Oshawa led 49-39 on 53% shooting of their own.
Saint John heated up in the third and fourth quarters scoring 63 points overall in the second half. By the end of the third quarter, the Mill Rats were within two at 73-71.
Nick Okorie for Oshawa caught fire late in the fourth drilling three after three, but somehow Saint John found a way to answer with threes of their own, or tough baskets inside. A key stop with under 20 seconds left gave Saint John the ball down 101-100. After a timeout, the Power defense shifted and left Jones momentarily wide open on the baseline. Jones drove hard and avoided two defenders with a reverse lay in that ended up being the game winning play.
Kenny Jones scored 32 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Antonio Burks and Jerice Crouch added 13 a piece, and Melvin Council 11. Okorie led Oshawa with 23.
Saint John improves to 20-19 on the season while Oshawa falls to 18-21. Saint John travels to Windsor to face Windsor Express on March 15th.
National Basketball League of Canada Stories from March 13, 2013
- Mill Rats Clinch Playoff Berth with Come from Behind Road Win - Saint John Riptide
- Top Two NBL Teams Meet Thursday Night in Summerside - Summerside Storm
- NBLC All Star Weekend Presenting Sponsor and Itinerary Announced - Saint John Riptide
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