Millrats comeback drops champs
December 2, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Saint John Riptide News Release
The Manchester Millrats rallied back from being down 101-93 with just 1:28 remaining on the clock, to drop the undefeated defending ABA Champion Vermont Frost Heaves 110-108, in overtime. Rob Sanders proved to be the hero down the stretch as he scored eight of the Millrats final ten points of regulation, including the game tying three pointer with 14 seconds left to force the overtime.
The game was a heavyweight bout for the ages, as the two first place teams came out swinging. Ismael Caro began the game attacking the basket for Millrats, while Manchester got solid contributions inside by Souleymane Wane and David Cooper. A David Cooper shot in traffic put the Millrats ahead 30-26 early in the 2nd quarter. Later in the 2nd, Cooper found Wane on the baseline for two and suddenly the Millrats were ahead 35-27 at the 9:18 mark of the first half.
The Frost Heaves responded from three point range. The Heaves were a remarkable 18-33 from behind the arc, good for 55%. Issa Konare and point guard Dwayne Lee each drilled second quarter three pointers to help Vermont close the gap. The score was all knotted up 50-50 at the half.
In the third quarter, the game saw many lead changes and ties back and forth, before the Millrats began to gain some ground. John Huggins' three pointer opened up a 74-68 Millrats' lead in the third. And once again Vermont responded. This time shooting guard Brett Gravitt swished a three pointer to bring them within 74-71. Then the Millrats' David Cooper hit a jumper in the lane to again extend the Manchester lead to 85-79, but still Brett Gravitt responded back, hitting a three pointer to cut the lead to 85-82. The third and fourth quarters were a constant back and forth affair, with the Millrats getting a slight lead and the Frost Heaves responding with an answer each time.
The Frost Heaves applied their patented full court pressure the entire game. Their physical style of attacking the ball usually rattles lesser teams into turnovers, which the Frost Heaves then capitalize on the by the 3D rule, earning bonus points for baskets made after a backcourt steal. But the Millrats' ball handling trio of Ismael Caro, Anthony Anderson, and John Huggins were able to withstand the Heaves' pressure. Instead of turnovers, the Heaves pressure generated fouls, and lots of them. Manchester's backcourt alone shot 22 free throws. In addition, the Millrats were able to force 26 turnovers while only giving up 16.
Like two heavyweight fighters slugging it out each round until a knock blow, the two teams continued at each other. And suddenly, Vermont seemed to throw a knockout punch. With the score tied 88-88 with only 3:47 remaining in the game, Terrence Green went on a tear that would've made Larry Bird proud. He drilled four consecutive three pointers over the next 2:15, including one that also drew the foul. The 13 point, one-man tear put Vermont ahead 101-93 with just 1:28 left on the game clock. Manchester was in deep trouble and the crowd sensed a Vermont victory. Vermont's crowd of supporters, the "Fan Van", rang their cowbells gleefully on the sidelines, as they fully expected to witness their beloved Heaves ride back to Barre undefeated!
Enter Sanders. After an offensive rebound and put back by David Cooper, Sanders drew a foul while shooting a three point attempt. He made all three free throws, cutting the deficit to 101-98 with 44 seconds left. The Millrats proceeded to foul to stop the clock. On an ensuing inbounds, Sanders drew an offensive foul on Green, and made two more free throws; it was now 101-100, Frost Heaves, with 21 seconds to go. Manchester fouled Issa Konare to stop the clock, and Vermont's leading scorer knocked down both to make it 103-100 Heaves. Then with just 15 seconds left, Ismael Caro penetrated the Heaves' defense and went towards the hoop, as the Vermont defenders collapsed, he kicked it out to Sanders on the three point line. Sanders sank the three pointer, tying the game at 103-103! Vermont's hurried attempt missed at the end of regulation.
In overtime, Manchester again found themselves down by three at 106-103 with just 36 seconds left. Ismael Caro made two tough driving layups in traffic to bring the Millrats within 108-107. On the succeeding play, Vermont lost the ball on the inbounds and the possession went to the Millrats. During the timeout, Coach Lessett drew up the final play. Sanders 8 foot shot in the lane put the Millrats ahead 110-108 with the 3D bonus point. And as if Rob Sanders hadn't done enough for his team, he blocked Issa Konare's driving shot attempt as time expired.
The game was a very sweet ending for the Millrats and in particular Rob Sanders, who was 0-7 against Vermont last season in the ABA.
"It's a great feeling to beat a team like Vermont especially coming back the way we did," said an elated Sanders after the victory, "people around the country had a lot of questions about whether this new team in Manchester was for real and tonight we answered them."
"I'm so proud of our guys, they hung in there and never gave up," stated Millrats Head Coach Larry Lessett, "Vermont is a first class team and organization, and we just glad to have pulled out the win."
Sanders led Manchester with 24 points, Ismael Caro added 21, and Goffstown's David Cooper scored 16 points and grabbed 6 boards. Terrence Green lead Vermont with 34 points.
Manchester improves to 8-1 on the season, the 2nd best record currently in the ABA, while the Frost Heaves drop to 6-1. The two teams face each other again this Thursday at 7:00 pm in Barre, Vermont. A live video feed of the upcoming game in Barre will be available on www.vermontfrostheaves.com, courtesy of PlayOn! Sports - a division of Turner Broadcasting.
Sunday completed "Overtime Weekend" for the Millrats as the Saturday game saw the Millrats defeat the Halifax Rainmen in overtime 112-105.
Next weekend is more doubleheader ABA action in Manchester as the Millrats welcome the Boston Blizzard back to the Fieldhouse on the campus of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) tip time is 7:05 pm. Next Sunday the Millrats will face the Montreal Royal at 4:35 pm.
Tickets are on sale now on www.manchestermillrats.com or by calling 1-866-9-GET TIX (1-866-943-8849). Tickets are just $9.75 for adults and $6.75 for kids 17 and under. December is SNHU Student Appreciation Month. All tickets are just $3.00 for SNHU students with a valid student ID. For more information please contact Millrats General Manager Ian McCarthy at millrats@gmail.com or visit www.manchestermillrats.com, or www.abalive.com.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
American Basketball Association Stories from December 2, 2007
- Millrats comeback drops champs - Saint John Riptide
- Jersey Express provide entertainment and education - Jersey Express
- Millrats pin first loss on Frost Heaves in OT - Vermont Frost Heaves
- Ask the Trainer - ABA
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