Millrats Rebound at Home
Published on January 20, 2008 under American Basketball Association (ABA)
Saint John Riptide News Release
Manchester, New Hampshire: The Manchester Millrats rebounded, literally and figuratively, tonight against the Halifax Rainmen, and won at home 112-111. The win snapped a four game losing streak for Manchester.
The Millrats entered tonight's game shorthanded without their two 6'11 centers: Souleymane Wane (ankle sprain) and Mike Williams (flu). In addition, 6'11 center Ife Anosike and point guard Ismael Caro had left the team earlier this week in the wake of the Vermont altercations.
Coach Lessett's main concern tonight was rebounding, as the Millrats had been outrebounded significantly in their two previous losses at Vermont and at Quebec. An undersized Manchester team rebounded to within one of Halifax (44 rebounds to 43) tonight, which was a major factor in tonight's win.
"I thought the rebounding was the key, (Rob) Sanders was great (16 rebounds), and that helped us get out in transition and get some easy baskets," explained Millrats Head Coach Larry Lessett.
The Millrats held a 17 point lead midway through the third quarter, but an 11-2 run by Halifax closed the game to within eight points quickly. After it looked like Manchester might blow the game open, suddenly we had a close game throughout the fourth quarter.
James Booyer's second consecutive three pointer gave Halifax a 103-99 lead with 4:37 remaining. But Anthony Anderson's fallaway jumper tied the score at 105-105 with 2:28 left. With 36 seconds left in the game, James Booyer made two free throws to give Halifax a 109-108 lead.
The Millrats looked for an open shot until Charles Mason's three point shot missed, and the ball went out of bounds to the Rainmen with just 19 ticks remaining. After a timeout, the Millrats forced a turnover on the inbounds pass which turned on the 3D lights. Halifax left PJ Young completely alone under the basket, and he promptly laid the ball in for a 111-09 Manchester lead with just 14 seconds left. Halifax managed to draw a foul, and Blandon Ferguson made both free throws for a 111-111 tie with only 6 seconds remaining. With overtime looming, Al Stewart's running shot missed, but Rob Sanders collected the offensive rebound, and attempted a put back as the final buzzer went off. He was fouled by Jermaine Anderson.
With Sanders' mother in the audience visiting from Georgia, he calmly drilled the first free throw and the game was over at 112-111.
The Millrats improve to 14-9 on the season and remain in first place in the Blue-Northeast Division, while Halifax drops to 8-13. Halifax is winless in five games against Manchester this season.
Rob Sanders scored 22 points and pulled down 16 rebounds. Former SNHU star PJ Young added 20 points, while newcomer Charles Mason scored 18 off the Millrats bench. James Booyer had 26 points for the Rainmen.
Manchester departs for Canada in the morning to face the Montreal Royal on Sunday at 3:00 pm. The Royal defeated Halifax last night 139-122.
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 January 20, 2008
- Millrats Overcome Montreal - Saint John Riptide
- Robertson, defense, lead Frost Heaves past Quebec - Vermont Frost Heaves
- Millrats Rebound at Home - Saint John Riptide
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