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Sound KO Kebs, 113-96

March 5, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Strong Island Sound News Release


Selden, NY- The Strong Island Sound won their third consecutive game by defeating the Quebec City Kewbekwa at Suffolk Community College on Sunday afternoon, 113-96. The Sound had five players score in double digits and had another strong second half to improve to 18-12.

Raphael Edwards had a double double with 26 points on 10 for 17 shooting, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. He was instrumental in leading the Sound to an important victory, which dropped the Kebs (18-13) one-half game behind Strong Island in overall record. "A win like this means a lot this time of year," said Edwards. "We need to get a head of steam."

The Sound picked up right where they left off in the previous evening's win over the Montreal Royal when they jumped out to a 9-0 lead just over two minutes into the contest. Charles Fortier hit a three-point shot with the 3D light on to cut into the Strong Island lead. Quebec City went to a press early in the game, but the Sound were able to break it and find the open man deep.

"They must have scouted us and thought we couldn't handle the press," said Sound head coach Dytanya Mixson. "We want to tell them (the opponents) that you can't press us."

"Once we were able to get the ball passed the foul line (against the press), we just kept attacking the basket," said Chris Grant, who scored 21 points, 6 assists and 3 steals.

The Kebs fought back and were able to tie the game at 23 with 2:56 left in the first quarter. But they put themselves at a disadvantage by getting into foul trouble and sending the Sound to the line 12 times in the opening quarter, who led by five at the end of one.

The game remained close and was knotted at 40 at the 5:45 mark of the second quarter. Quebec City took a 47-44 lead after Paul Lamand (7 points) hit a shot from downtown with 3:55 left. The Sound took a 54-53 halftime lead when Grant went coast-to-coast after receiving the inbounds pass.

An important turn of events occurred with just over three minutes left in the third quarter and the score tied at 72. Brian Woodward (10 points, 5 boards, 4 assists) found Raheim Lowery open in the paint, who had his shot blocked by Byron Burnett. Lowery grabbed the loose ball and put it back while being fouled by Burnett. He missed the free throw, but was awarded another opportunity when Quebec City committed a lane violation. Lowery subsequently converted the conventional three-point play, giving Strong Island a three-point advantage.

"When you play zone, you leave spots open and my teammates were able to find me to get some easy baskets," Lowery said.

This sent the Sound on a 13-2 run and give them an 85-74 lead after three quarters were played.

It was all Sound in the fourth, as they outscored the Kebs 28-19. The Strong Island defense was dominant, with tipped passes and forcing Quebec City to commit a 24-second violation. Greg Plummer, who had 18 points on 8 for 15 from the field, stretched the lead to 14 halfway through the quarter when he hit a jumper. The home team coasted the rest of the way and earned a good team victory.

"We're starting to jell and showing some real chemistry," said Mixson. "But I still don't feel that we've played our best basketball yet. We'll be scary when we do."

Mixson commented on the upcoming game on Thursday in Rochester against the defending ABA champion RazorSharks, "It'll be like a playoff game. It is important to take that game, and we'll have to play our best."

Cordell Jeanty led the Kebs with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Manix Auriantal had 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Including the Rochester game, the Sound will play on four consecutive nights. Friday, they will be in Newark to face the Express. Then on Saturday and Sunday, the Sound will host the Brooklyn Comets and Express, respectively.

Visit www.strongislandsound.com for ticket information and to listen to all the action from the road on Audio Sports Online, and on WBZB 98.5 FM for all your Sound home games with David Greenwald and Rob Hahn.

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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