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Quiet second half for Sound in loss

November 12, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Strong Island Sound News Release


Selden, NY-The Rochester Razorsharks are not the defending ABA champions for nothing. The team that captured the title in March has picked up where they left off and are 2-0 in the new season following a 111-102 win at Suffolk Community College against the Strong Island Sound. The Sound split their home opening weekend as their record fell to 1-2.

Guard Keith Friel lit up the Sound from beyond the arc, going 6 for 9 from 3-point range and finishing with a game high 28 points for the Razorsharks. Friel was a key member of last season's championship run, which culminated with the Razorsharks defeating the Southern California Legends in Rochester for the 2005-05 ABA title. Another key player returning is guard Lazarus Sims (11 points, 7 assists). MVP Chris Carawell is no longer with the club, but Rochester signed guard Caleb Gervin, nephew of George "The Ice Man" Gervin and former member of the Bellingham Slam. In the Great 8 Tournament, Gervin single-handedly carried his team, who were the second biggest surprise team after Strong Island to advance. For the game, Gervin scored two points in only 10 minutes. He is coming back from an injury and sat out the Rochester win in Baltimore last week.

After a sloppy start for both teams, the Sound found their touch and led 23-15, highlighted by an alley-oop pass from guard Michael Campbell (10 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds) to Gregory Plummer, who slammed it home. It was another big night from the 6'4" guard out of Eckerd College, as Plummer scored 26 points while shooting 50 percent from the field and going 5 for 9 from the 3-point mark and 5 for 6 from the free-throw line. The Sound held a 32-23 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Three bombs by Friel pulled Rochester within one point with 8:35 left in the half. He hit his sixth of the game with 3:11 left to tie the score at 48. Plummer hit a three-pointer of his own and at the half, the Sound were in front 53-48.

The third quarter spelled trouble for the Sound for the second consecutive game. Campbell turned the ball over in the back-court, signaling that the 3-D Rule was in effect. Sims hit a shot while being fouled by Tommie 'Gunzz' Eddie (7 rebounds), which put him to the line. Sims completed the four-point play and the score was 63-61 in favor of Rochester, who were able to get their lead up to five by the time the third quarter ended, 86-81.

A conversion of a basket with the 3-D light on by forward Darren 'DP' Phillip brought the Sound within two. Phillip finished with a double-double (24 points, 16 rebounds) and has scored in double digits in all three of the Sound's games in the early going. With 9:40 left, Plummer hit a three-pointer to put Strong Island up, 89-88. But the Razorsharks would take the lead by one with 7:57 left and never looked back. With just over four minutes remaining in the game, Rochester had a 102-96 advantage. Eddie hit a three to bring the Sound within five points, but that was as close as Strong Island would get.

"We have to protect the ball and stop any unforced turnovers," stated Sound forward Gary Williams following the game. "Every possession is critical when you have the lead. We have to get more stops." Williams further commented on playing a team like Rochester, "They had veterans on the floor at the end of the game. We have to adjust. We're still learning. Every game we're getting a little better."

The 1-2 Sound face the Cape Cod Frenzy in their next contest on Saturday November 18th, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at Suffolk Community College (Selden). The game can be heard live via the internet on Audio Sports Online by logging onto www.strongislandsound.com . All Sound games can be heard live or via archived podcasts.

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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