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Skyrockets fall short in semi-final playoff game

March 27, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Minot Skyrockets News Release


Rochester, NY. The #3-seeded San Jose Skyrockets (31-6) faced the hosting team, the co-#1 ranked Rochester RazorSharks (29-4) in a highly-contested ABA semifinal playoff game in a much-anticipated match-up between these bicoastal powerhouses. Both teams struggled to maintain a solid foothold as there were nine lead changes in the first half alone. ABA Player of the Year candidate Lamar Castile led all scorers in the first half, scoring 16 points. The RazorSharks led at halftime, 58-56.

San Jose began its scoring run with a 19-8 run to close out the 3rd quarter, limiting Rochester's shooting to only 2 of 17 field goals while the Skyrockets scored 10 of 23 for 43.5%. However, the RazorSharks 12 of 14 free throws kept them in the game as compared to the Skyrocket's 3 of 6 free throws. Third quarter ended with Jason Smith's 3-pointer resulting in a 83-74 lead for San Jose.

However, San Jose's fortunes began to change at about the 9-minute mark in the fourth quarter. Castile picked up his 5th foul, forcing him to the bench for most of the quarter. Then Skyrocket Marvin Rodgers and Eric Walton of the RazorSharks got into a confrontation resulting in a double foul. From that point, the RazorSharks went on a 16-10 run to come within two points of San Jose 97-95. On the following play, guard Todd Okeson ran away with a breakaway dunk, lifting the Skyrockets to a score of 99-95. However, RazorShark guard Keith Friel then shot a three at the 3 minute mark to puts the score to 99-98. Following Jamar Howard's free throws to place the Skyrockets at a 101-98 lead, Castile picked up his 6th foul, forcing him again to the bench.

Lazurus Simms, a sizable guard from Syracuse at 6'4", missed both free throws, but in the ensuing possession, he was fouled by Howard in a 3-D situation and buried 3 free throws to tie the game at 101 with 2:31 left. In what amounted to a key play, Okeson was called for a foul as Friel shot a 3-pointer, resulting in a 4-point play which led to a Rochester advantage at 105-101. After two made free throws by San Jose which put the score at 105-103 with 38 seconds left, Skyrocket forward Jason Smith was dribbled the ball near half-court in a fast break opportunity to tie the game, but then lost the ball out of bounds. With Sims' free throw after an intentional foul, which put the score at 106-103, Okeson attempted a 3-pointer at the buzzer but was blocked. With it, the Skyrockets' spectacular 16-game winning streak and its championship run came to an end.

The Skyrockets were led by Castile with 19 points, followed by Howard's 18 and Smith's 15. Okeson finished wityh 14 points. For Rochester, former Duke star Chris Carrawell scored a double-double with 19 points and 18 rebounds, while Sims finished with 17 and Demond Steward contributed 16. Friel and Eric Coley chipped in 12 each and Troy Brown had 11. For more information, visit www.sjskyrockets.com or 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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