Mill Rats Second Half Weathers the Storm
February 21, 2013 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Saint John Riptide News Release
(Saint John, NB): The Saint John Mill Rats, presented by Rogers, battled back from a 24 point deficit at half, to claim a win over the #1 ranked team in the Atlantic Division, the Summerside Storm. The team played in front of 2,377 excited fans with a final score was 100-89.
Tonight's win was an important one as the team fights for a playoff position with only 6 games left, 5 of them being away.
The Mill Rats played a weak first half only dropping 26 points, compared to Summerside's 50. Their total field goal percentage at half, was only 28.9%.
After returning from the locker room after halftime, the Mill Rats were ready for action. Kenny Jones and Jerice Crouch came out strong for the team, dropping the quarter's first points. With just over 2 minutes into the third, a long pass off the rebound from Julius Hodge, into the hands of Cavell Johnson at the other end, resulted in a slam dunk that lifted the team's momentum.
The Mill Rats went on a run into the third until a three from Brandon Robinson, put the Storm back on the clock. By this point, the Mill Rats had already chipped away at their double digit lead to close their lead to a 10 point spread, 46-56 with 7:44 on the clock.
Saint John was able to outscore Summerside in the third, 38-20, ending the third with a final score of 64-70.
The fourth quarter proved to be nothing short of momentum. With 7:22 left on the clock, the Mill Rats gained their first lead of the game, 77-76 after a basket from Melvin Council.
The Storm battled back but the Mill Rats were able to keep their lead. A three pointer from Steve Deluca with just over 2 minutes on the clock, gave the Mill Rats a 4 point lead 91-87.
The Mill Rats used time to their advantage, drawing out the fouls and eventually winning the game, 100-89.
Tonight's win puts the Saint John Mill Rats in second place in Atlantic Division standings.
Leading scorer of the game was Kenny Jones with 28 points who also posted a double double with 10 rebounds. Former NBA player Julius Hodge posted a double double as well adding 12 points and 10 rebounds. Cavell Johnson netted 18 points for the Mill Rats.
Leading Summerside was Brandon Robinson with 23 points and Greg Plummer with 17.
Saint John moves up to 17-16 on the season while Summerside drops to 19-13.
When asked about what was said in the locker room at the half to change the 24 point first half to a 76 point second half for the team, Head Coach David Cooper replied, "I looked at the stat sheet and noticed we weren't rebounding. I said to the guys that we need to play with a sense of urgency; a sense of pride. With the talented group of guys we've got, that's all that needed to be said. They went out and got it done."
The Mill Rats play 2 road games next week - one in London on Feb. 28th and the other in Windsor, on March 1st.
The team returns on Sunday, March 3rd to host their Rogers Game Day - their last regular season home game!
Tonight's game, the players donned limited edition pink jerseys. These will be auctioned off all week at the Mill Rats Fan Zone located in Brunswick Square (second level by Tim Hortons). Bidding will close after half time during Sunday's game at Harbour Station, March 3rd. All proceeds go towards the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
National Basketball League of Canada Stories from February 21, 2013
- Express Lose To London Lightning 99-92 - Windsor Express
- Miracles Unplug the Power - Moncton Miracles
- Lightning Defeat Express - London Lightning
- Mill Rats Second Half Weathers the Storm - Saint John Riptide
- Mill Rats Comeback Stops Storm - Summerside Storm
- Tickets on Sale for "Hoops 4 Kids Fundraiser" on April 12th - Saint John Riptide
- Mill Rats Elite AAU Tryouts Start Monday - Saint John Riptide
- Miracles Say Goodbye to Coly - Moncton Miracles
- Last Day for Season Ticket Holders to Reserve All Star Weekend Seats - Saint John Riptide
- Express Defeat Jazz For 5th Straight Win - Windsor Express
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