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NE Penn Breakers win opening game

November 8, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Northeast Pennsylvania Breakers News Release


Scranton, PA. Two Breakers' teams showed up for their ABA debut Saturday night at the Lackawanna College Student and Athletic Center. Luckily, the good Breakers team got on the floor before it was too late. With Rich Baker coming off the bench to provide a second-half spark, the Breakers defeated the Strong Island Sound 119-117 before a crowd estimated by team officials as around 1400.

Throughout the first half, the Breakers looked ragged, shooting 25.5%, committing 9 turnovers and trailing 52-34. Then Baker entered at the start of the second half. Playing on familiar territory, Baker immediately pulled down a defensive rebound. That sparked a 39-19 run which gave the Breakers a 73-71 lead with 4:33 to play in the third quarter. Ultimately, the 6-foot guard was the game's high scorer with 31 points on 11 of 14 shooting including 8 3-pointers. He also had 7 steals and forced four turnovers.

"I was hoping to bring a spark and set a different tempo," said Baker, who played at Lackawanna College and East Stroudsburg University. "I kind of like coming off the bench; it gives me a chance to analyze the game a little bit." Another reserve player, Gary Goldman also came up big for the Breakers. Like Baker, the 6'4" Goldman contributed stellar defense, while adding 7 points, including 2 crucial free throws. "The fans really helped out with the screaming and yelling for us."

Willie Chandler, who played at Scranton High and College Misercorida, finished with 28 points, including a freee throw that sealed the deal with one second left on the clock. "It felt nice to play in front of the home fans," Chandler said. "I have to admit this was the first time in my life I was nervous to play basketball." For more information, email bfleming@tracercode.com or visit www.abalive.com. -

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.

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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.

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