Mill Rats' Season Ends at Home
March 23, 2013 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Saint John Riptide News Release
(Saint John, NB): The Saint John Mill Rats, presented by Rogers, dropped the third and final game in the play-in series to the Moncton Miracles on Saturday night at Harbour Station with a final score of 111-103.
Both teams battled hard in the first but 5 minutes into play, the Miracles were able to pull ahead, closing the first quarter 38-21.
The second quarter, the Miracles were on fire dropping basket after basket and with 4:58 left before half, they held a 32 point lead, 59-27. The Mill Rats were able to close out the Miracles on defence and go on a 14 point run, eventually closing the second 61-41.
Third quarter, the Miracles opened up going on a 7 point run. The Mill Rats fought back but still could not close the double digit lead Moncton had, 86-65.
The Mill Rats came alive in the fourth, which unfortunately proved to be too late for the team vying for the chance to take on the #1 ranked team, the London Lightning in semi final action next week.
With just over 5 minutes to go, a three pointer from Steve Deluca, closed the gap to 100-86.
The crowd of 2000 fans went wild as the Mill Rats opened up with a basket from Steve Deluca. Both teams were basket for basket until 5 minutes into the first when the Mill Rats started to pull ahead after a momentous play from Jerice Crouch to Melvin Council for the pass to Steve Deluca for the basket.
With 36 seconds on the clock, Jerice Crouch dropped the three but was fouled, making it a 4 point play. The Mill Rats had closed the spread to 6 points, 105-99.
The Mill Rats could not make their baskets drop and the Miracles ran the clock down, drawing the fouls, eventually closing the game, 111-103.
The Mill Rats were led by Jerice Crouch, game high scorer with 34 points and 7 asists. Behind him was Melvin Council with 22 points, 9 assists and Kenny Jones with 14.
Leading the Miracles was Devin Sweetney with 27 points and Isaac Butts with 24 points and 17 rebounds, getting a double double tonight.
The Miracles move on to play the #1 ranked team, the London Lightning in the National Basketball League of Canada semi-finals.
The season may be over but the basketball doesn't stop here! Catch the excitement of All Star Weekend on April 13-14th right here at Harbour Station! Don't forget to vote for your favourite All Star XicUFm6WrVBs5MjswU9Da1X90BpGV_8Jfbs7xBmEUbaTERau83zXd__vMKADzUQ]! Twenty players will be chosen to represent the league.
Tickets for All Star Weekend are now on sale at the Harbour Station Box Office (1.506.657.1234) or by visiting harbourstation.ca.
National Basketball League of Canada Stories from March 23, 2013
- Mill Rats' Season Ends at Home - Saint John Riptide
- Miracles Win First Round of Playoffs against Mill Rats - Moncton Miracles
- Game 3 vs Moncton Tonight - Saint John Riptide
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