Millrats Gut Out a Road Win Behind Currie's Hot Hand
March 22, 2009 - Premier Basketball League (PBL)
Saint John Riptide News Release
(March 22, 2009 Halifax, Nova Scotia): The Manchester Millrats fell behind to the Halifax Rainmen by double figures in the first half, but gutted out a tough road win, riding the hot hand of Marlowe Currie. Currie scored 30 points, knocking down 7 out 9 from behind the arc. As a team, Manchester shot an impressive 62.5% from three-point range in the game.
"I call Marlowe a 'poor man's Larry Bird' because he is a terrific set shooter and a very smart veteran," stated Millrats Head Coach Rob Spon. "We executed great as team in the second half, and Currie helped us capitalize on great ball movement."
Manchester faced a tough task today being shorthanded and facing a motivated Rainmen team along with their biggest crowd of the season. Millrats big men Sam Carey and John Ruffus did not make the trip due to injury, while Ife Anosike and Desmond Ferguson were unable to make it due to personal reasons. Yet the Millrats were still able to win big on the road.
Halifax started out strong early on and led 30-27 after one quarter of play. They built on that early lead to hold a 61-52 lead at halftime. Halifax's AJ Millien, Tony Bennett, and Reggie George all had 12 points at the half, while Currie had 10 points and 6 rebounds for Manchester.
The Millrats used a 21-8 run at the end of the third quarter to grab an 87-81 lead.
Manchester's leading scorer after Currie was Tommy Mitchell, who finished with 19 (17 in the second half) to go along with 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Al Stewart tallied 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. Keith Salscheider scored 16, while Alex Owumi 14. points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Big man Marc Mazur notched 9 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
Tony Bennett paced the Rainmen with 21 points and 5 steals. AJ Millien contributed 19 and Eric Crookshank had a great all around game with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Manchester completed their inaugural season in the Premier Basketball League with a 16-4 record and won the Atlantic Division.
Manchester hosts the Vermont Frost Heaves this Thursday night at 7:00 pm at Southern New Hampshire University in the final game of the Champlain Cup Series. They will then prepare for the PBL Playoffs which are slated to open April 2nd.
For more information please contact Millrats General Manager Ian McCarthy at millrats@gmail.com or visit www.manchestermillrats.com or www.pblproball.com.
Premier Basketball League Stories from March 22, 2009
- Battle Creek moves to 16-2 with a convincing victory over Augusta - Battle Creek Knights
- Wilmington closes out home schedule with win over Detroit - Wilmington Sea Dawgs
- Kebs break six game losing streak in victory over Montreal - Kebs de Laval
- Millrats Gut Out a Road Win Behind Currie's Hot Hand - Saint John Riptide
- Razorsharks tie record for points in a game in throttling Buffalo - Rochester RazorSharks
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