Millrats Swarm Bulldogs
November 29, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Saint John Riptide News Release
The Manchester Millrats swarmed the Corning Bulldogs, and pulled out a 138-130 road win before a crowd of 80 or so in Corning, New York. The game itself was fast paced, high scoring ABA action at its finest.
The host Bulldogs took advantage of a sluggish Manchester start to grab a 36-21 first quarter lead behind their strong guard play. Millrats Head Coach Larry Lessett went to the bench searching for help. 6'11 reserve center Ife Anosike and shooting guard Rashid Al- Kaleem provided just that. Anosike made an immediate impact, scoring on the inside and shutting down the interior play of 6'8 Will Campbell and 6'10 Ronald Wright. Millrats point guard Anthony Anderson sliced through the Bulldog pressure to find Al-Kaleem on the perimeter. The Bulldogs were so worried about the Millrats stars that they ignored Al- Kaleem in their defensive rotations. And he made them pay with six three pointers in the first half. The result was a 12-0 run that got the Millrats back in the game at 36-33.
In the second quarter, the action was fast and furious. Justin Cichon nailed 3 three pointers for Corning that kept the Millrats defenders honest. With 52 seconds to go in the first half, the Bulldogs were still clinging to a 70-67 lead. Then a monster slam dunk by Rob Sanders made the score 70-69. The Millrats defense then got a stop, and two free throws by center Souleymane Wane gave the lead back to the Millrats, 71-70.
In the third, Corning began to wilt under the relentless offensive rebounding of the Millrats. The Bulldogs interior players could not keep Sanders, Wane, or Anosike off the offensive glass. Manchester's second chance points helped them establish an 83-76 lead halfway through the third. But to Corning's credit they did not give up. Tough ball pressure by Al Stewart and Cliff Washington forced turnovers and suddenly Corning was back in the game, and down just 90-88 with 3:32 to go in the quarter. But Anthony Anderson responded with a three pointer and Manchester reestablished control, leading 106-99 at the end of the third quarter.
Corning continued to play hard in the fourth quarter, and actually claimed back the lead, 110-109, with 7:04 remaining. They were within 119-118 with four minutes left, but a backcourt steal and jumper by Ismael Caro gave the Millrats two plus one (3D), and a 122-118 lead. The Millrats maintained the margin and made enough free throws down the stretch to clinch.
"Corning is a talented team, but our guys showed tremendous fight and will to come back from 15 down," stated Coach Lessett, "and when the opponent got the lead back late in the game we had the poise to pull out the win."
Manchester was led by Anthony Anderson with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. Rashid Al-Kaleem had 24 points, and Rob Sanders scored 21 and hauled down 14 rebounds. Al Stewart had 21 points for the Bulldogs.
The Millrats improve to 6-1 on the season while the Bulldogs drop to 2-4. Manchester is on a 4 game win streak, and Corning has now lost 4 in a row.
This weekend is doubleheader ABA action at the fieldhouse on the campus of Southern New Hampshire University as the Millrats welcome the Halifax Rainmen on Saturday at 7:05 pm, and on Sunday in a much- anticipated matchup, the Millrats take on the undefeated defending ABA Champion Vermont Frost Heaves at 4:35 pm. Doors open one hour prior to tip off.
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 November 29, 2007
- Sound Streak at Five - Strong Island Sound
- Frost Heaves Remain Undefeated - Vermont Frost Heaves
- Jersey Express and Gibbons Holistic Hold Annual Food Drive - Jersey Express
- Breakers Tv Commercial On Charter Starting Friday - Long Beach Breakers
- Seven Year Ache? - OSC Original by Ed Gross
- The Frost Heaves. Free. On your computer screen. Tonight. - Vermont Frost Heaves
- Millrats Swarm Bulldogs - Saint John Riptide
- Royals fans invited to three games before Christmas - Montreal Royal
- Corning Bulldogs Add Pro Star To Roster - Corning Bulldogs
- Gladiators Sign Usc Standout Jerry Dupree - Orange County Gladiators
- First Place Manchester Takes Down Corning 138-130 - Corning Bulldogs
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