Shorthanded Tropics earn victory over South Alabama
January 9, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Miami Tropics News Release
MOBILE, Ala. - Starting point guard Pachi Cruz was out with an Achilles' tendon injury.
Starting center Karel Rosario was home in Miami after the birth of his first son.
And the ABA Miami Tropics' 22-point lead had shrunk to 2 points with less than a minute to play.
But the tired Tropics - they only had 9 players available - hung on to earn a 99-91 road win over the South Alabama Bounce.
The Tropics improved their record to 12-4, including 6-1 on the road, and cut Jacksonville's lead in the division to just one-half game but own the better win percentage.
The game was played at the most impressive facility the Tropics have seen this season - the 10,000-seat Mitchell Center on the campus of the University of South Alabama.
And for a while, the Tropics were just as impressive, leading 24-18 at the end of the first quarter, 58-42 at halftime and 83-71 after three.
But the Bounce made a habit of making big plays at the end of quarters. They hit a controversial three-pointer at the end of the first quarter on a goaltending call that was made despite the fact that the shot never rose above the rim. The Bounce also hit a three-pointer at the end of the third quarter.
Still, the Tropics seemed to have the game in hand. But the Bounce battled back, and the Tropics hurt themselves by missing 6 free throws in the final 3 minutes.
Among the Tropics who hit key baskets were Ray Rose, who hit a layup after the lead had been cut to 2, and Carlos Escalera, who did the same thing.
Then, with the Tropics up 96-91 with 38.2 seconds left, Rodrigue Djahue tipped in Eric Wilkins' missed free throw to ice the game.
Shooting guard Marcus Barnes led the Tropics in scoring with 23 points and averaged 20.5 in the two games this weekend.
Escalera had an excellent all-around game with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.
Forward Terence Shelman had his 9th double-double of the season, scoring 11 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. He led the team in rebounding and tied Escalera for team honors with 5 assists.
Rose started in place of Cruz and had 14 points, 3 assists and a team-high 5 steals.
New wing guard Rey Luque played his second game with the Tropics and scored his first points. He was 2 of 4 from the field, including 2 of 2 on three-pointers, and finished with 6 points.
Former University of Miami standouts Wilkins and Djahue were strong off the bench. Wilkins had 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. And Djahue had 9 points and 6 rebounds.
Visit www.miamitropicslive.com for more Tropics Action.
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