Overtime Needed to Settle "Battle of the Bridge"
June 25, 2014 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Portland Chinooks News Release
PORTLAND - How fitting that the fifth and final regular season match-up in the series known as "Battle of the Bridge" needed extra time to settle the score. After 48 minutes, things still weren't settled. So another five was put on the clock and the Chinooks (10-5) took care of business, putting away the Vancouver Volcanoes 141-133 on Tuesday night at Eastmoreland Courts.
The action was a stalemate after one period at 32 before the visitors built a seven-point lead, 67-60 at the break, despite a wonky shot clock violation at the end of the half. It seemed as if the Volcanoes were pulling away midway through the third quarter up by as much as 13, but the Chinooks showed their heart, closing the gap to 95-94 going to the final period thanks to an 18-6 run. There was little separation for much of the remaining twelve minutes, so to overtime we went tied at 120. Portland scored early and often, obtaining their largest lead of the game by nine in extra time. They put up 21 points in overtime on their way to a season-high 141.
Kevin Ford showing his dunking dominance Germain Jordan led the way with a double-double of 35 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. Justin Steinke (6'3" G Clackamas CC) tied his career-high with 24 points. Four other Chinooks hit for double figures. Kevin Ford added a season-high 23 points and nine rebounds, Antwan Williams scored 21, Jared Cunningham had 20, and Antone Jarrell chipped in ten.
Vancouver was led by Adam Herman's career-high 30 and sixteen rebounds, Brian Morris added 26, and former Chinook Dominique Watson hit for 22. The IBL's leading scorer Andre Murray sat this one out.
Portland ends the regular season on a three-game winning streak, and snapped Vancouver's string of six straight victories. The Chinooks win the season series three games to two. The teams seeded two and three in this weekend's IBL Playoffs will meet one more time with a trip to the championship on the line, 5:00 Saturday at Clark College. The winner faces either Bellingham, Salem, or Seattle on Sunday at 5pm in the title game.
Catch Portland's title run streaming online with Jeremy Scott on the call: IBL.com/portland_chinooks IBL.com/video.php YouTube.com/IBLHoops
• Discuss this story on the International Basketball League message board...
International Basketball League Stories from June 25, 2014
- 2014 IBL Playoffs Tip off this Saturday in Vancouver - IBL
- Overtime Needed to Settle "Battle of the Bridge" - Portland Chinooks
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.
