Power Derail Express Win Streak
December 7, 2014 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Mississauga Power News Release
(Mississauga, ON - ) In their first game since Nov. 22, the Power put on a show in their 100-99 victory to kick off their December schedule.
The Power started off slow from the gates and Windsor capitalized on mindless turnovers with a six point run. Centre Mike Allison stepped in by taking a charge to get the Power bench fired up again. Their intensity was only short lived and the Express worked up to a 21-11 lead with less than four minutes to go. Mississauga's deep bench turned the tables as the quarter winded down, with forward Travis Releford leading that charge with three points and two assists at the most opportune times. The Power eventually cut down Windsor's margin to a basket and at the buzzer the Express had a 26-23 lead.
The Power quickly forgot about their drought in the previous quarter and played with a renewed confidence on defence. Centre Paul Cooper was a force under the basket with a handful of blocked shots and steals. Mississauga worked their way up to a 33-30 lead but also got caught up in the high pace of Windsor's game and began to rush. Head Coach Kyle Julius called a time out to regroup and the Power found their groove and took the lead, but eventually ended the half tied at 44 points.
Down five points in the third quarter, guard Alex Johnson put the team on his back by making consecutive three's and converting one basket into a four point play. Mississauga took the lead 53-52.
The rest of the quarter was an absolute battle. Both teams exchanged baskets and remained within a point of each other for nearly five minutes. The Express were riding guard Tony Bennett's hot hand from beyond the arc and the Power were led by forward Donald Johnson's 13 point explosion.
Down 68-75, Mississauga found their spark again in Releford and his aggressiveness to the basket. His half-court steal and dish to centre Marcus Capers for a lay-up plus were their most pivotal three points of the quarter. Releford added another basket to put the Power within three points of Windsor's 78 point lead at the buzzer.
Just like in the second quarter the Power came out with a boom in the final frame that was evident in their smooth and confident ball movement. Big Man Allison came through with tough defence and rebounding under the basket and made his mark with a strong dunk on a put back as the Power trailed the Express 87-85.
With 20 seconds to go, the Power clawed their way to a 98-97 lead until Windsor's free throw tied the game. Mississauga kept their focus and looked to Allison to take a hard foul under the basket where he won the game with two clutch free throws for a 100-99 victory.
Releford and Allison dominated the fourth quarter, ending the game with 18 points and four assists for Releford and clutch ten points and four boards for Allison. Omar Strong quietly led the team with 20 points and six rebounds and assists.
Mississauga will be on the road for their next game as they travel to London to play the Lightning on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.
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National Basketball League of Canada Stories from December 7, 2014
- Poor Free Throw Shooting Derails Win Streak - Windsor Express
- Power Derail Express Win Streak - Mississauga Power
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