Shockers top Mingoes 72-68 in OT

NEW PROVIDENCE BASKETBALL ASSOC. PLAYOFFS

THE University of the Bahamas Mingoes men’s basketball team came back from down 10 points to force overtime against the Caro Construction Shockers but could not pull off the NPBA playoff win.

Despite leading by as much as eight points and having to claw back from being down 10 points, the Mingoes could not pull off the New Providence Basketball Association win and lost 72-68 at The A.F. Adderley Gym.

The Shockers now lead the best-of-three series 1-0. The second game is set for Saturday.

Erquantae Edgecombe and Justin Burrows each contributed 17 points for the Mingoes in the loss. Ricardo Taylor also scored 11 points for the Mingoes.

Burrows pulled down 11 rebounds and Theodore Grant had seven steals as well. Spurgeon Johnson led the Shockers with 18 points, William Rigby scored 16 and Jeron Smith and Dario McKenzie scored 12 each.

McKenzie also pulled down 15 rebounds for the Shockers.

The Mingoes led by as much as eight points off a Dave Lindsey rebound that converted into a fast break lay-up for Theodore Grant to put them up 34-26 with 1:23 to go in the second quarter.

The Shockers bounced back thiugh to tie the game at 41-41 just 20 seconds into the fourth quarter on a lay-up from Dominique Fernander.

Spurgeon Johnson capped a 13-3 run from the Shockers on two free throws to put them up 54-44 with 6:23 to go in regulation.

The Mingoes cut the lead down and forced a tie with 1.3 seconds to go at 62-62.

The Mingoes called a time out and were able to advance the ball into the front court.

Theodore Grant inbounded the ball and was able to get it close to the basket for the win.

Erquantae Edgecombe caught the ball in the air but was not able to connect, forcing the game into overtime.

Edgecombe and Grant combined on a 6-2 run to start overtime and put the Mingoes up four at 68-64.

However, the Shockers closed out on an 8-0 run to take the game 72-68 and go up 1-0 in the series. “This was a very winnable game for us tonight and the guys played their hearts out,” said head coach Bacchus Rolle. “We made the stops but we couldn’t convert it to baskets. This team fights but I think fatigue set in and when fatigue happens your mind goes and then your legs go. We fought well and came back to tie the game and almost won it.”

Rolle added that heading into the second game of the best-of-three series, his squad is going to have some offence. “We have to find more than just Justin Burrows, who came out big with 17 points tonight,” he said.

“We are also going to have to control the paint and hit more jump shots along with spreading the floor a bit more to give our big men an opportunity to work the middle of the floor more.”

The Shockers out-rebounded the Mingoes 70-47 in the game.

Game two of the best-of-three series is set for 7pm Saturday at The A.F. Adderley Gym.

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