The Nets got off to a sluggish start, similar to their first two games, and as a result found themselves nursing a 7 point deficit, 34-27, at the half following a well played half by the Bulldogs, ignited by starting point guard Roscoe Rhys (9 points) and backup center Jason Hyde. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, though, the game is a 40-minute game and not a 20-minute game. Apparently the Nets were made aware of this at intermission and as a result responded in the third quarter of play by outscoring the Bulldogs, 26-9, as they reasserted themselves on the glass and defended well in the half court set, limiting the Bulldogs transition game.
In the fourth quarter the Bulldogs, sensing that the game was slipping away once again, made a charge. But just like their first game, it was too little too late as they fell to the Nets, 71-63.
The game high scorer was Nets? Paul Swasey, 25 points 9 rebounds. His rejuvenated teammate, AC Augustine, contributed 19 points 12 rebounds, while Edward Baptist totaled 14 points 3 assists. As a team they shot 34% (28/83) from the field and 48% (14/29) from the line. They were relentless on the boards, grabbing 58 rebounds. Offensively they limited their turnovers to 18, and at the same time stole 19 of their opponents? passes, blocked 6 shots and distributed the ball for 12 assists. They now sit atop the league standings and wait their next match-up this coming Thursday, when they head to the UB campus to face the Black Jaguars.
The Bulldogs were led by Darwin Leslie?s 14 points 3 rebounds, followed by Eric Cheers? 14 points 6 rebounds and Eden Serano?s 11 points 11 rebounds. As a team they once again shot poorly from the field, a woeful 30% (24/81), while improving on their free-throw percentage going (12/27) for a 44% clip. They were outrebounded by their opponents, 58-51, and to make matters worse turned the ball over a whopping 26 times. Defensively they had 16 interceptions and 3 blocked shots, and managed only 8 assists. The (0-2) Bulldogs will now head north to Sugar City next Friday to face the (0-1) Sugar City Eagles.
In Corozal Town on Saturday last it was the homestanding Northern Uprising registering their first win of the season as they downed the Orange Walk?s Sugar City Eagles by the score of 81-65.
The game was fairly close in first half of play, with the Eagles enjoying a modest 32-30 lead. But in the third quarter the Eagles were outscored 29-15 by their opponents as they were unable to respond to the offensive barrage from their northern counterparts, losing their first outing.
The Uprising had four players in double figures, with Andre Almendarez leading the way with 19 points 4 rebounds, followed by Alfred Bainton 15 points 9 rebounds, Shamir Martinez 14 points 8 rebounds, and Jason Daly 13 points 3 rebounds.
As a team they shot a respectable 43% (33/77) from the field, 45% (9/20) from the charity stripe, pulled 49 rebounds, had 18 assists, 6 steals and turned the ball over 18 times.
Lester Cadle had a monster game for the Eagles, scoring 26 points to go along with 4 rebounds 3 assists and 3 blocks, while Kelvin ?Kelly B? Gillett had 14 points 11 assists, and Sheldon Williams 14 points 9 rebounds. Collectively they shot 30% (24/81) from the field and 52% (13/25) from the free throw line. Defensively they had 8 blocked shots and 11 steals, while limiting their turnovers to a low of 13. In terms of rebounds they could only muster 35 rebounds, but they distributed the ball efficiently for 21 total assists.
The (1-1) Northern Uprising will head to San Pedro next Saturday for the latter?s home opener, while the 0-1 Sugar City Eagles will host the (0-2) Bulldogs.