SJEvsKIT - Game Four Recap
Now into game four, this year's Central Division finals between the St. John's Edge and the KW Titans is becoming an increasingly exciting and unpredictable battle for a spot in the final.
The Titans have been finding the home court advantage a big lift in their post-season run so far, as they look to continue their winning run after victory over the Edge in game three.
Isaiah Tate got off to the best start of anyone on the floor, scoring 11 points for the Edge in the first quarter. A jump shot from Tate would give the visitors a two-point lead at the end of a close opening period of play.
With Murphy Burnatowski taking control on offence, the Edge then went seven points in front mid-way through the second quarter, but KW's Justin Strings caught fire from three-point territory, the lead kept changing hands until the half-time buzzer, when the teams were level at 45 points a piece.
Damon Lynn and Akeem Ellis gave the Titans a four point lead shortly after the start of the third quarter, but St. John’s gained the upper hand from close-range, led by Olu Ashaolu who finished as the game’s top scorer with 20 points.
The Edge went in front after seven unanswered points late in the third, and a final layup from Ashaolu saw them lead 75-68 after thirty minutes of regulation. In the final period, though, the Edge’s game plan fell apart, and the Titans took full advantage.
With Akeem Ellis leading the home side in a dominant final quarter defensive show, the team continuing their three-point accuracy and Tramar Sutherland providing the spark off the bench (finishing with 16 points in total), they sealed the win in the fourth, where they outscored the Edge 29 points to 11.
Scoring 19 points each, Strings and Lynn were the joint top scorers for the victorious Titans - with the former also grabbing 11 rebounds - the Titans levelled the series at two games each with a dogged 97-86 win over St. John’s.
The teams will be back in action for Game Five on April 30th, which will again be held at the Aud in Kitchener.
