Mill Rats Nearly Steal Game, Go Down 2-1
March 9, 2015 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Saint John Riptide News Release
(Saint John, NB): The Saint John Mill Rats did everything necessary to steal a road game in this best-of-five series against the Island Storm, but a foul called in the waning seconds was enough for the Storm to win 108-107.
"PEI did what they were supposed to on paper, which is win at home," said Mill Rats Head Coach Julian King. "We would have loved to get that game, and almost did, but now we have to protect our home court on Tuesday night. We know, and they know, we are capable of winning in their building, so hopefully we will get another chance on Thursday."
ANOTHER MUST WIN FOR THE MILL RATS TUESDAY NIGHT
The Mill Rats are in another 'must-win' game at Harbour Station on Tuesday night March 10th at 7PM at Harbour Station. If the Storm win, they will advance to the Atlantic Division championship series against the winner of the Halifax-Moncton semi. Halifax leads that series 2-1. If the Mill Rats win, it forces a Game 5, winner-take-all game, in Charlottetown on Thursday March 12th at 7PM.
The Mill Rats fell behind 11-3 at the outset, but took control from there finishing the quarter on a 25-11 run to lead 28-22 after one. The Storm benefited from an initial 9-2 foul count in the second corner and won that quarter by 9 to take a 53-48 halftime lead.
Saint John retook the lead, 63-62, on a three point basket by Raheem Singleton at the 6 minute mark. With PEI leading 71-65 the Mill Rats rattled off a 10-0 run to take a 75-71 lead, before ending the quarter knotted at 77-77.
The final stanza was some of the most incredible offensive basketball seen this season with both teams matching each other shot for shot, three pointer for three pointer, and possession for possession. The Mill Rats caught the break they needed when centre Ricky Volcy drained a three pointer after an offensive rebound by Keith Cothran to gain a 102-99 lead with 1:11 left.
But Nick Okorie hit a tough step back jumper to cut it to 102-101, and Saint John was whistled for a 24-second shot clock violation with 36 seconds left.
After a timeout Brandon Robinson hit a driving scoop shot with 20.9 seconds left to give the Storm a 103-102 lead. Raheem Singleton broke free in the corner and scored a layup of his own to regain it for Saint John, 104-103.
With 8 seconds on the clock Brandon Robinson was awarded 3 free throws for a fouled called on Keith Cothran. Replays appear to show Robinson extending his arm into the defender, but regardless Robinson knocked down all 3 free throws for a 106-104 Storm lead. On the ensuing inbounds Singleton dribbled the ball off his leg and turned it back over to the Storm, forcing the Mill Rats to foul. Mike Martin hit both for a 4-point lead and Ricky Volcy's three pointer at the buzzer accounted for the 1-point margin.
The Mill Rats were led by Ricky Volcy with 26 points, Kenny Jones 21, Anthony Anderson 20, Raheem Singleton 16, and Keith Cothran 13. Nick Okorie led the Storm with 26.
GAME 4 TICKETS ON SALE
Game 4 tickets are on sale at the Harbour Station box office, by calling 657-1234, and online at www.harbourstation.ca.
National Basketball League of Canada Stories from March 9, 2015
- Mill Rats Nearly Steal Game, Go Down 2-1 - Saint John Riptide
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