Mill Rats Erase 14 Point Fourth Quarter Deficit in Critical Win
Published on March 18, 2011 under Premier Basketball League (PBL)
Saint John Riptide News Release
The Saint John Mill Rats erased a 14-point-fourth-quarter deficit to win a critical road game against their arch rivals, the Halifax Rainmen, 104-98.
With the win the Mill Rats move ahead of the Rainmen in the Premier Basketball League standings and into the fourth playoff position. Halifax plays on the road on Friday at #2 ranked Quebec, while the Mill Rats travel to Kentucky for a Sunday game.
The first half was nip and tuck as both teams felt out the opponent while a heavy playoff-type atmosphere permeated the crowd of 3,108 fans. The Rainmen outrebounded the Mill Rats 38 to 13 in the first half, but only led 53-49 intermission.
In the third quarter Halifax seized control of the game and pushed their lead to as many as 17 points. At the end of three quarters the lead was 81-69 for Halifax.
In the fourth quarter the Mill Rats began to chip away. Back to back three pointers by guard Anthony Anderson cut the Rainmen lead to 84-78 with 8 minutes remaining and suddenly the game became a war. Saint John took their first second half lead at 91-89 on two free throws by Jeffrey Ferguson with 4 minutes remaining. With the game tied 95-95 Anderson found Dwuan Rice in the corner for a three pointer, and on the subsequent possession Rice drained a floater off the glass as the shot clock was winding down to give the Mill Rats a 100-95 lead with a little over 1 minute left.
Finally Marc Egerson's two free throws with 11 seconds remaining sealed the game with a 102-98 Mill Rats and the Rainmen had to foul again to stop the clock.
Saint John turned the rebounding tables in the second half and outrebounded Halifax 34-28.
Anthony Anderson led all scorers with 32 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds including five three pointers. Marc Egerson added 24 points and 8 rebounds. Jeffrey Ferguson, starting in place of the injured Ross Demasi, scored 16 points and hauled down 16 rebounds. Dwuan Rice chipped in 12 points and 8 assists, while newcomer P.J. Young had 12 points amd 10 rebounds off the bench. Marshall Brown scored 22 points for Halifax.
The Mill Rats record improves to 8-7 and the Rainmen fall to 8-8.
After Sunday's tilt in Kentucky, the Mill Rats return to Harbour Station for a three game homestand. They host the #2 ranked Quebec Kebs on Thursday March 24th at 7pm, the #1 ranked Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry on Sunday March 27th at 4pm, and the Halifax Rainmen on Tuesday March 29th at 7pm.
Premier Basketball League Stories from March 18, 2011
- Cavs Bite Razorsharks Back With A Vengeance, 85-80 - Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry
- Sharks Fall Short at Lawton - Rochester RazorSharks
- Kebs down Rainmen - Halifax Rainmen
- Mill Rats Erase 14 Point Fourth Quarter Deficit in Critical Win - Saint John Riptide
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