Thrilling Finish Nets Mill Rats' Road Win
November 9, 2013 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Saint John Riptide News Release
(Moncton, NB): The Saint John Mill Rats improved to 2-1 as they head into their season opener tomorrow at Harbour Station by beating the Moncton Miracles, 112-109, on a thrilling finish down the stretch at the Moncton Coliseum.
Saint John led early in the first quarter, but Moncton made their own series of runs to lead 24-23 after one. Late in the second quarter the Miracles pulled ahead to claim a 54-48 halftime lead. Saint John hadn't done themselves any favors going 1-9 from the free throw line in the first half.
In the second half the Mill Rats would wake up, going 23-25 from the foul line, continuing to attack, and outscoring the home team by nine overall. Late in the game the score was 104-102 with 50 seconds remaining, and Moncton threatening, when Chris Matthews drained a decisive jumper from the top of the key to make it 106-102. Moncton then missed two free throws, but got the offensive rebound and was fouled again, this time making both to close within 106-104. After a Mill Rats turnover on the inbounds, Moncton failed to score and thus was forced to foul to stop the clock. Will Blalock headed to the line and made both to make it 108-106 with 19 seconds remaining. Saint John made their free throws two more trips to seal the win by three.
"This was a great team win tonight. Not everything was going our way in the first half, but we stuck with it and we stuck together, and were able to come away with a character road win," said Mill Rats Head Coach Rob Spon. "Tomorrow we will really need our bench to give us a boost on this back to back weekend."
Anderson paced Saint John with 28 points, Blalock had 18 points & 7 assists, Matthews 18 points, Jermaine Blackburn & Chris Matthews 16 a piece, and Rob Curtis 10 in his first game. Stanley Robinson had 24 for the Miracles. Moncton drops to 1-3 on the season. For a full box score CLICK HERE o9CE02GmtnqrPg].
The Mill Rats home opener is tomorrow, Sunday November 10th, at 4PM AST at Harbour Station against the Island Storm. Single game, season & flex tickets are still on sale at the at the Harbour Station Box Office by calling 506-657-1234.
For more information, visit www.millratsbasketball.ca o9CE02GmtnqrPg] or email hoops [mailto:hoops@millratsbasketball.ca]@millratsbasketball.ca [mailto:hoops@millratsbasketball.ca]
The Saint John Mill Rats are part of the National Basketball League of Canada.
National Basketball League of Canada founded in 2011, is a Canada's only professional basketball league. There are currently 10 teams, with 2 divisions: Central and Atlantic. The NBLC is committed to being one of the leading professional basketball leagues in the world. The NBLC provides Canadians, international athletes, coaches and officials the opportunity to participate in the game they love at the professional level. The NBLC is dedicated to raising awareness of the sport of basketball throughout Canada, by providing fans with an exciting and entertaining experience.
National Basketball League of Canada Stories from November 9, 2013
- Thrilling Finish Nets Mill Rats' Road Win - Saint John Riptide
- Miracles lose 112-109 to Mill Rats - Moncton Miracles
- SkyHawks lose close one, 98-97 - Ottawa SkyHawks
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