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ValleyDawgs look for season Sweep on Wildcats

May 19, 2004 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs News Release


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KINGS TAME ‘DAWGS: The Brooklyn Kings closed out the game with an 11-0 run to defeat the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs 123-116 at Liberty High School's Memorial Gymnasium on Tuesday evening. It was the first home loss of the season for the ValleyDawgs who are now 4-1 at the new ‘Dawg Pound. It was a fast paced game throughout, but turnovers and poor free shooting caught up to Pennsylvania in the end. The ‘Dawgs turned the ball over 29 times in the game and shot just 50% from the free throw line. Center Frantz Pierre-Louis was a monster in the post with 12 points and 16 rebounds (8 offensive), but he could not find any rhythm at the free throw line. He was just 2-10 from the charity stripe. Tim Winn scored 14 of his 22 points in the final frame to give the ‘Dawgs a 116-112 lead. But it went downhill from there as Brooklyn's Anthony Glover converted from the free throw line time after time in the final minutes. Glover finished with 21 points (11-13 FT). Mike Campbell led all scores with 30 pts.

EAST LEAD SHRINKS: With the loss to Brooklyn on Tuesday, the ValleyDawg lead in the Eastern Division shrunk to one game. Pennsylvania dropped to 10-4 while the Kings improved to 9-5. The Kings have won 6 of their last 7 games and are now 2-1 against the ValleyDawgs this season. Adirondack is 2 and a half games back of PA.

CHANDLER LIGHTING IT UP: Pennsylvania guard Willie Chandler continues to play well and looks to be fully recovered from an early season injury. Chandler has scored double digits in his last 3 games, including a 20-point performance Tuesday. Division III's 2nd all-time leading scorer was 5-10 from 3-point range last night. In the past 3 games, Will The Thrill is averaging 14.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 2.6 SPG. He has had success against Adirondack this season as well. Against the Wildcats, Chandler is averaging 13 PPG, 4 RPG, and 2.3 SPG.

‘DAWGS IN MIDDLE OF 4-GAME HOMESTAND: After playing 9 of its first 13 games on the road, PA opened up a 4-game homestand Tuesday against Brooklyn. Tonight, PA battles Adirondack for the third time in four games. On Saturday, it's a battle of Division leaders as the Midwest's Kansas Cagerz roll into town. The Cagerz have won 5 in a row and now have the best record in the league at 11-3. The 4-game homestand wraps up on Wednesday May 26th when the ‘Dawgs take on the expansion Cedar Rapids River Raiders for the first time. The ValleyDawgs are 4-1 at their new home at Liberty High School's Memorial Gym.

ROAD SCHEDULE NOT A PROBLEM FOR PA: Pennsylvania is the only team in the USBL with a winning record away from home. Not only are the ‘Dawgs above .500 away from Liberty High School, they are well above it. PA is 6-3 on the road this year.

INJURIES CONTINUE TO PLAGUE DAWGS: Saturday's Home Depot Player of the Game Marcus Hill (6'5" Tulsa) is out for the season after injuring his right hand Sunday while trying to reach for a loose ball. His hand was caught in a collision with Adirondack's Marshall Phillips. Hill is scheduled to have surgery on Thursday. Leading scorer Marcus Fleming (6'8" Alcorn State) sat out Tuesday's game with a day-to-day elbow injury. Fleming and Hill join Joe Crispin, Quincy Wadley, Carlos Wheeler, and Paul Alverez on the injured list. John Thomas (6'0" St. Francis) and Kenya Carruthers (6'7" Kansas Wesleyan) were added to the roster Tuesday.

ADIRONDACK LOSERS OF 4 OF 5: The Wildcats started the year strong at 7-3. But since then, they have had two new coaches and have lost 4 of their last 5 games. On May 8th, the Wildcats had payroll problems, causing the players to sit out a game. After the forfeit, head coach Ron Ekker was fired. Assistant Coach Jacob Jonas took over for a game and led the Wildcats to a 119-114 victory over Brooklyn on the 12th. The Wildcats then brought back former coach Mike Sanders. Sanders coached the team the previous two seasons, but could not return to start the year because he was an assistant for the NBDL Champion Asheville Altitude. Since his return Saturday, the Wildcats have lost 3 in a row, including two to PA.

SEASON SERIES: The ‘Dawgs and Wildcats first battled this season on April 24th in Glens Falls, NY. PA scored 36 points in the 3rd quarter to erase a 10-point halftime deficit and take a one-point lead heading into the 4th. The ‘Dawgs held onto the 97-94 win. Marcus Fleming scored 27 points and had 11 rebounds in the win. This past weekend, the two teams battled in a home-and-home series. On Saturday, the ‘Dawgs used a 32-21 1st quarter advantage to jump out to an early lead. Marcus Hill led PA to the 106-101 victory with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 steals. On Sunday, the series moved to Upstate NY. The ‘Dawgs dominated early and led 56-37 at the half. The 2nd half was a defensive struggle but Pennsylvania held onto the 81-74 win. This is the final meeting of the season for the two teams.

ALL-TIME SERIES: In their expansion 2002 season, The Wildcats owned the ‘Dawgs. Adirondack won 5 of 6 games that year, including a 102-101 victory in the 1st round of the USBL playoffs. But the ValleyDawgs have not lost a game to Adirondack since. Last season PA won all 5 games and this year the ValleyDawgs have won all 3 matchups. The ValleyDawgs have won 8 in a row against Adirondack and lead the all-time series (including playoffs) 9-5.

VALLEYDAWGS CAREER RECORDS:
1999 18-9 Reached USBL Post-Season semifinals
2000 20-10 Northern Division Champions
2001 18-12 USBL Champions
2002 14-16 Reached USBL Post-Season quarterfinals
2003 23-7 Eastern Champions and reached USBL Championship game
2004 10-4
Overall 103-58



United States Basketball League Stories from May 19, 2004


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