Millrats Defense Huge in Comeback Victory
April 5, 2009 - Premier Basketball League (PBL)
Saint John Riptide News Release
(April 5, 2009 Rochester, NY): Desmond Ferguson, the former Portland Trailblazer and the man they call "Moneyball", drained a deep three pointer to beat the shot clock that lifted the Manchester Millrats over the Rochester Razorsharks, 116-110, staving off elimination.
The score was tied 108-108 with barely over one minute remaining when Ferguson hit his 30+ foot shot from just inside the Razorsharks logo. The Manchester defense held on the ensuing possesion, and guards Lincoln Glass and Tommy Mitchell hit 5 of 6 free throws to ice the win.
The Millrats had been trailing by as many as 18 points in the third quarter before their defense locked in and held Rochester to just 28 points over the final 21 minutes of play.
The Razorsharks home record over the past four years had been 53 wins and just 3 losses, making Manchester's comeback feat appear all the more improbable. Manchester held Rochester to just 40% shooting from the field.
"I give our guys alot of credit because they did not quit or get rattled when Rochester got ahead," stated Millrats Head Coach Rob Spon. "I told them if they kept attacking and playing unselfishy, then good things were going to happen."
Manchester lost game one at home to Rochester, 125-110, and needed to win two games in a row on the road to advance to the Premier Basketball League Finals. With the victory today, the series has been pared down to just a one game elimination Tuesday night and the winner advancing to the Finals.
The Millrats were led by Desmond Ferguson with 21 points, Tommy Mitchell 17, Marlowe Currie 16 points and 7 assists, Lincoln Glass 16 points and 4 steals, and Al Stewart with 14 points and 4 assists. Ifesinachi Anosike was a presence inside with 6 points, 12 rebounds, and 1 block. Scott Hazelton, Marc Mazur, and Sam Carey all made big plays during the rally. The Razorsharks were led by Keith Friel's 27.
Game 3 will be on Tuesday at 7:00pm at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester. The winner of the series will advance to the PBL Finals.
Premier Basketball League Stories from April 5, 2009
- Knights roll over Sea Dawgs - Battle Creek Knights
- Millrats Defense Huge in Comeback Victory - Saint John Riptide
- Manchester Comes Back From 18-Point Deficit, Force A Decisive Game 3 - PBL
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