15 Odgra Bobo scores 2 of his 30 as this Knight tries not to foul him. Destroyers Take Undefeated Battle Creek Knights To Overtime 120-116
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The Mid Michigan Destroyers, fresh off their first win, took on the undefeated Battle Creek Knights. This was an important game for the Destroyers who are looking to climb back into the divisional race. And what a game it was.
The two teams burst out of the gates with the Destroyers quickly building a 6-0 lead only to be down moments later, 8-6. It was this kind of explosive play throughout with the Knights finishing off the quarter ahead 31-27.
The Knights changed things up in the second quarter going to a half court trapping defense which took the Destroyers out of their rhythm. Half way through the quarter, the Destroyers found themselves down by 12. The pressure defense caused the Destroyers shots to be off just enough with the rim seeming to have a lid on it. Meanwhile, the Knights showed why they are undefeated. Effectively working the ball inside and kicking it out for quality shots, they took a 62-47 halftime lead.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
The Destroyers came out of halftime with a renewed intensity. Having tightened up their own defensive pressure, they limited the Knights to free throws as the Destroyers lit it up from the floor. Feeding off of Luke Lloyd's rebounding intensity, they climbed back into the game. But just as the Destroyers would close the gap to four points, the Knights would hit a three and another jumper and would take their ten point lead back.
In an attempt to slow down the Destroyers, Battle Creek went to double teaming Luke Lloyd on the offensive rebounds. As soon as a shot went up, two Knights would pinch off any route to the basket to stop any second chance points. While affective in stopping Lloyd, Marcus Skinner stepped up in a big way and was a beast on the boards. When all the dust had settled, the Knights still held a 90-80 lead.
The fourth quarter is exactly why this team and league is so exciting to watch. In the first minute and a half, the Destroyers narrowed the Knight lead to 96-94. The Knights looked to take back control of the game by slowing things down. The Knights put the ball in point guard Rashi Johnson's hands and used all of the shot clock before he would drive the lane for a dish or a shot, often resulting in a foul. The strategy seemed to work as the Knights built back a ten point lead with under four minutes to play. Then the fun started.
Down by ten, the Destroyers came up with three defensive stops. Luke Lloyd rebounded and hit Odgra Bobo down the right side for two lay ups and a Troy Coleman tip in to narrow the margin to 108-104. Later, Troy Coleman hit two clutch free throw making it a 2 point game with 45 seconds to play. Following a defensive stop, the Destroyers came down looking for either the tying or go ahead basket. But a questionable traveling call on Marcus Skinner with Knights falling around his feet gave the Knights the ball with 10 seconds to play and still a two point lead.
Just when you thought the game was over and started reaching for your coats, the fun had just begun. On the inbounds pass, the receiving Knight fell down and the pass was intercepted by Bobo. He quickly passed it cross court but his pass was intercepted by Battle Creeks Jeremy File and he was fouled. Missing the first of a double bonus free throw, he hit the second for a three point lead. The Destroyers swiftly moved the ball up court looking for that tying three. With the guard smothered, Luke Lloyd stepped out demanding the ball. He turned and from way beyond the arch, he fired his shot. As the buzzer was sounding, the crowd watched as his shot found nothing but net. The crowd already on their feet erupted as we were now going into overtime.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
The whole comeback and final sequence took a lot out of the Destroyers as they quickly fell behind by 6 points which they were unable to overcome. While the Knights won, 120-116, it was the fans that went away winners.
On the night, the Destroyers were lead by Odgra Bobo's 30 points. Marcus Skinner with his Mack Truck power moves to the basket scored 26 points while grabbing 9 rebounds and Troy Coleman added 16. Luke Lloyd led all rebounders with 15 loud boards to go along with his 15 points, non bigger than the buzzer beater.
The Knights saw 6 players reach double figures led by Kenny Loanghorne's 29 points and 11 rebounds. Allen White tallied 19 points with Rashi Johnson adding 17. Defensive spark plug Jeremy File had 14 points with Jason Arbet and Florentino Valencia rounding out the double digit scorers with 10 apiece.
The Destroyers next game is at the Chicago Throwbacks on January 26, 2009. The next Destroyer home game is January 29, 2009 at Delta College. Game time is 7:05 against the Rochester RazorSharks.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
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John Keuvelaar |
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