Murdock Not Enough to Save Hoops from the Storm
January 8, 2003 - Continental Basketball Association 2 (CBA 2)
Grand Rapids Hoops News Release
Grand Rapids, MI -- Despite a great all-around effort by Eric Murdock, the Grand Rapids HOOPS were not able to overcome their struggles in close games, as they fell victim to the Great Lakes Storm by the score of 105-102 at the DeltaPlex Arena. Murdock notched the American Conference's first triple-double of the season, registering 17 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds.
The game was nip-and-tuck throughout the final two minutes, with Immanuel McElroy tying the game at 100-100 with less than a minute to go. Just seconds later, the Storm's Justus Thigpen, who scored 12 points off the bench on the night, knocked down a short jumper to give Great Lakes a lead they would not relinquish.
Grand Rapids (10-13) dropped their second consecutive game at home against their cross-state rivals. Larry Ayuso led the HOOPS with 27 points (11-15 FG), while the CBA's leading scorer, Corey Hightower, scored 25 points in leading the road team to five of seven quarter points.
Both teams began the game quite sluggish, as they combined to shoot under 40 percent as the Storm took a slim two-point lead into the second frame. Ayuso provided a spark for Grand Rapids in the second quarter, as he came off the bench to score ten points in leading the HOOPS to a one-point halftime lead.
Great Lakes' (11-13) Hightower took over the third quarter, scoring 14 of his points in the stanza, but Grand Rapids ultimately took the quarter and held a three-point lead heading into the final quarter. The HOOPS had been 10-3 when leading after three quarters.
Grand Rapids newest acquisition, NBA veteran Olden Polynice contributed ten points and four rebounds in just over 20 minutes of action, while Jerald Honeycutt added 16 points and six rebounds on the night.
The HOOPS will host the Rockford Lightning on Friday night at the DeltaPlex. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the Continental Basketball Association 2 message board...
Continental Basketball Association 2 Stories from January 8, 2003
- Murdock Not Enough to Save Hoops from the Storm - Grand Rapids Hoops
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
