Millrats Defeat Vermont 102-93 In Season Opener
January 3, 2010 - Premier Basketball League (PBL)
Saint John Riptide News Release
The Manchester Millrats opened the regular season with a 102-93 victory over the Vemont Frost Heaves, putting on a show for the fans who braved the snowy weather outside.
Manchester jumped out early and captured a 31-22 lead after the first quarter and carried a 43-35 lead into the intermission.
Vermont closed the lead with it's efficient offense, cutting the Manchester lead to 70-67 with 8:40 remaining in the third quarter. Alexus Foy;e's three pointer, followed by a steal and lay in by Marlowe Currie, pushed the lead back to to eight at 75-67. A quick shot by Vermont led to a breakout and two handed slam by Foyle and a new double digit lead, 77-67.
The Frost Heaves responded with an 8-0 run, cutting the lead back to two. Al Stewart's jumper in the lane barely beat the shot clock, making the score 79-75.
The two teams went nip and tuck througout the end of the third and deep into the fourth quarter. David Cooper's three pointer, his second of the game, sealed the win for the Millrats, pushing the lead to an insurmountable 97-89 with under a minute remaining.
"It was great to win our home opener, the crowd was pumped up and really into the game," stated Millrats forward David Cooper, also a part owner of the team.
The Manchester offense featured a balanced scoring attack with five Millrats scoring in double figures. Dwight Brewington led the Millrats with 19 points while Anthony Anderson and Marlowe Currie added 15 apiece. Stanley Ocitti contributed 11 points to go along with 12 rebounds. Lou McCroskey also chipped in with 10 points. Vermont was led by 22 points from newcomer Stephen McDowell.
With the win Manchester begins its quest for a 2009-2010 Premier Basketball League championship with a 1-0 start, while the Frost Heaves drop to 0-1.
The Millrats face the Puerto Rico Capitanes in Arecibo, Puerto Rico on Friday the 8th, and then fly to Oklahoma to face the Lawton Fort-Sill Cavalry on Sunday the 10th. Manchester returns home for a double header home stand on January 16th and 17th to face the Rochester RazorSharks and the Quebec Kebs.
Premier Basketball League Stories from January 3, 2010
- Millrats Defeat Vermont 102-93 In Season Opener - Saint John Riptide
- Stampede lose to Quebec in Season opener - Buffalo Stampede
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