Mill Rats End Two Year Drought at the Metro Centre
February 17, 2013 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Saint John Riptide News Release
(Halifax, NS): The Saint John Mill Rats, presented by Rogers, ended a two-year drought at the Metro Centre by defeating the Halifax Rainmen 91-89 on the road.
The Mill Rats played their first game without perennial All Star Anthony Anderson, who departed on Friday for a job in Qatar. Saint John showcased a new-look lineup with the 6'8 Julius Hodge joining Jerice Crouch in the backcourt.
They were able to hold a lead for the entire first quarter by controlling the paint. Kenny Jones dominated with 10 interior points, and Hodge scored 8 getting to the rim. The Mill Rats led 28-24 after the first quarter despite going 1-8 from the free throw line.
Halifax closed the gap early in the second as Quinnel Brown scored early and often. But Saint John remained poised and won the quarter by 1, and thus held a 55-50 halftime lead. They continued to struggle from the line in the second quarter finishing 4-13 by the break.
The game started slipping away for Saint John in the third quarter as the Rainmen poured it on out of the gate. Halifax took the lead in the quarter and actually extended to an 11 point advantage overall. But again the Mill Rats responded, always poised and was within 74-71 at the end of the stanza.
A seesaw battle ensued in the fourth with neither team gaining much ground. Saint John grabbed a little glimmer of control after back to back tip ins by Kevin Francis took them from a 1 point deficit to a 3 point lead.
Julius Hodge's crafty layup with 1:57 left tied the game at 89-89. But it was Steve Deluca's improbable three point shot while falling down, and double clutching (it was ruled a two pointer by the officials) as the shot clock expired, that made the score 91-89. Saint John's defense held for two straight Rainmen possessions and Jerice Crouch ran off with the ball as time expired, preserving the win.
Kenny Jones led the Mill Rats in scoring with 20 points and added 9 rebounds. Julius Hodge nearly posted a triple double with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. Cavell Johnson and Steve Deluca added 12 points a piece, while Jerice Crouch and Kevin Francis had 10 each. Deluca and Francis also contributed with 8 rebounds each.
The Mill Rats outrebounded the Rainmen 58-40 including 22 to 8 on the offensive glass.
Quinnel Brown scored a game high 25 points for the Rainmen in defeat.
The Mill Rats tie Halifax for the 4th playoff spot with 16 wins and 16 losses on the season. The Windsor Express are right behind at 14-16.
The Mill Rats now move to Summerside on Monday for a 1pm AST tip off at the Credit Union Place to face the 19-12 Summerside Storm on Islander Day.
The Mill Rats are back in action at Harbour Station on Thursday, Feb. 21st as they host the Storm. Game time is 7pm. It is also "Pink Jersey" night and fans are reminded to come out and wear pink. The jerseys will be auctioned off and all proceeds will go towards the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
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National Basketball League of Canada Stories from February 17, 2013
- Storm Primed For Islander Day Monday After Beating Jazz - Summerside Storm
- Mill Rats End Two Year Drought at the Metro Centre - Saint John Riptide
- Millrats Beat Rainmen in Halifax - Halifax Rainmen
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