Storm wins in playoff preview

March 9, 2005 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
Great Lakes Storm News Release


Birch Run, MI (March 9, 2005) – The Great Lakes Storm won tonight against the Rockford Lightning 124-121 (4.0, 3.0) in overtime to move to 28-19 on the season. The win clinched the Eastern Conference regular season championship and home-court advantage in the first round. Rockford had their slim chances of winning the Eastern Conference ended as they dropped to 25-21.

After dropping a home game to the Mayhem two days ago, the Storm didn't want to put off their chance to clinch the #1 seed another night. The two teams traded baskets in the opening quarter and Rockford eventually won the quarter 33-31 behind eight points from Marshall Phillips. A quick bucket early in the second quarter by Doug Smith tied the game up at 33 a piece, but the Lightning would never relinquish the lead as they went into halftime winning 65-58, along with winning the quarter 32-27. The Storm came out from the locker room on fire as they went on a 12-0 run to take the lead 70-65. They would maintain that lead and went into the final quarter leading 87-80. The Storm easily won the quarter 29-15. The Lightning would not go down without a fight as they quickly tied the game up at 91 a piece three minutes into the quarter. It went back and forth the entire quarter and the Storm had the ball at the end of regulation with a chance to win the game. Joe Dabbert missed a six-foot baseleine jumper and Doug Smith followed with a wild shot at the buzzer that didn't even get to the rim. The Storm never trailed in the overtime period and Trevor Huffman made a huge 3-pointer with 1:40 remaining to push the lead to seven points. Huffman had a huge night as he missed a triple-double by a single rebound. Mark Jones missed his second free throw with :07 left to give the Lightning a chance as they trailed by three, but they were unable to get a shot off before the buzzer sounded.

The Storm's next game is on Thursday, March 10th at home against the Yakima Sun Kings. Tip-off is set for 7:05 at the Birch Run Expo Center.

Game Highlights:

STORM: Trevor Huffman 19 points, 9 rebounds, 12 assists

Ezra Williams 32 points, 14 rebounds

LIGHTNING: Stais Boseman 27 points

Marshall Phillips 25 points, 15-for-16 FT

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Tickets are now on sale for the 2005 CBA Playoffs. For details call a Storm representative at (989) 624-4665.



Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from March 9, 2005


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