Warriors pull out 136-133 double overtime war over Musicians
June 23, 2006 - World Basketball Association (WBA)
Cartersville Warriors News Release
Cartersville, GA - After dropping a 105-101 decision to the Arkansas ArchAngels last weekend in Little Rock, Ark., the Cartersville Warriors couldn't wait to get home to the friendly confines of the J.H. Morgan Gym on Aubrey Street. However, those confines almost weren't friendly at all Thursday night as the Warriors had to outlast the Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Musicians, 136-133, in double overtime in World Basketball Association action.
"I think all of us were on edge because we knew how important this game was for playoff seedings, or at least I know I was," said Cartersville coach David Archer Jr. "I knew this was a game we needed badly and it helps us towards getting the No. 2 seed. "It was good to be back in familiar surroundings and I think the guys were glad to be playing at home again."
With the victory, Cartersville (14-4) moved to within a game of the Rome Gladiators for the No. 1 seed in the upcoming WBA playoffs and have already clinched the No. 2 seed. The playoffs start next week and the pairings will be announced over the weekend. Murfreesboro (10-8) held a 56-46 lead at halftime, but the Warriors outscored the Musicians 62-52 in the second half to tie the game at 108 and send it into overtime. Cartersville had a shot to win the game at the end of regulation, leading 106-102 with 1:15 to go, but Murfreesboro rallied to force the extra period.
"Our Achilles' heel all season long has been unforced turnovers," said Archer. "We had a lead, but we were trying to do things that didn't make any sense."
The Musicians opened up a 112-108 lead in the first overtime, but the Warriors scored eight straight points to go up 116-112 with 2:07 remaining. However, missed shots and turnovers allowed Murfreesboro to rally again. Each team had a shot to win the game with under five seconds to go in the period, but both missed and the game went to a second overtime tied at 118.
Murfreesboro scored the first six points of the second extra period to go up 124-118 with 3:23 to go, but a 10-2 run by Cartersville - topped off by a 3-point play from Ron Dokes (6'9''-C-81) of Cartersville Warriors with 1:36 left - put the Warriors ahead, 128-126. The teams then got into a free-throw shooting contest and the Musicians closed to within a point three times in the final minute, with the final time coming at 134-133 with 4.1 seconds remaining. Cartersville's Mike Dean (6'2''-G-82, agency: Warren Sports, college: Middle Tenn.St.) was fouled and sank both free throws with 3.2 seconds to go and the Musicians' Derrick Williams final 3-point shot to tie the game was off and the Warriors were able to escape with the victory.
"Our heart is what pulled us through tonight," said Archer. "We were down at the half, but we increased our effort, both on the defensive end and in our rebounding. We tried to make ourselves be patient on offense and we were able to exploit some mismatches (Murfreesboro) gave us."
Dean led Cartersville with 37 points, including hitting all 14 of his free throws and going 11-for-23 from the field, and four rebounds. Dokes had 21, 10 rebounds and three assists and Ray Luque (6'5''-G) of Cartersville Warriors had 18, five assists, four rebounds and three steals. Delvin Thomas finished with 17 and seven rebounds, Bobby Brown tossed in 17, six rebounds and five steals and Terrence Hill (6'5''-G-82) of Cartersville Warriors chipped in 16, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Murfreesboro was paced by Cedric McGinnis (6'9''-C-77), who had a stellar performance with 42 points, 14 rebounds and four assists. Tommy Gunn (6'3''-G-81) scored 24 with six assists and four rebounds, William Pippen finished with 22 and five rebounds, Will Caudle added 22, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals and Williams had 19, nine assists and five rebounds.
Cartersville travels to Anderson, S.C. to take on the Anderson Heat tonight at 7 p.m. and close out the regular season Sunday afternoon at home against the Cleveland (Tenn.) Majic. Tipoff for that game is set for 2 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the World Basketball Association message board...
World Basketball Association Stories from June 23, 2006
- Tornadoes Start Final Weekend With Win - Memphis Tornadoes
- Warriors pull out 136-133 double overtime war over Musicians - Cartersville Warriors
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.
