NBLC Daily: March 21st
A crucial night of NBL Canada basketball as the playoff possibilities start to become very real.
Behind the combined efforts of Bryce Washington (24 points, 21 rebounds), TJ Maston (19 points, 11 rebounds) and Marvin Binney (19 points off the bench), the Saint John Riptide led the Island Storm by sixteen points in the first half at the Harbour Station. Looking to stay alive in the game and the season, though, the Storm closed the gap to one seconds after the start of the final quarter.
After five lead changes down the stretch, the Storm had a one-point lead on the final possession, but with the final shot of the game, Washington sank a short-range jumper. the Riptide won the game 84-83 and the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division - at the same time eliminating the Island Storm from post-season contention.
The Moncton Magic had the best start in Sudbury, with Trey Kell beginning a team-best performance of 30 points off the bench. The Sudbury Five found their rhythm in the second quarter, going from behind by eight to ahead by five at the half.
With the superior show from close range, sixteen three-pointers and Braylon Rayson leading all on the floor with 42 points, Sudbury take another stride towards the playoffs with a 127-120 defeat of the league leaders.
After an unanswered run of nine, Cape Breton Highlanders led the Halifax Hurricanes by ten early on at the Centre 200. Halifax, led by their bench players - including Malcolm Duvivier, who had a game-high 29 points - and making the most of their second chances at basket, turned proceedings around, leading by ten points in the fourth,
Cape Breton's joint top scorers, Devin Sweetney and Jamal Reynolds who both had 23 points, tried to salvage the game, but could not break down Halifax's offence and the visitors ran out to their fourth straight win, 103-90, over the Highlanders.
