SUMMERSIDE — The Moncton Miracles’ first win of the inaugural NBL of Canada season came at the expense of the Summerside Storm here Friday night.
The Miracles defeated the Storm 111-102 in front of an announced 1,654 at EastLink Arena, in what was a back-and-forth match up for the majority of the 48 minutes.
Mike Evans, who took over Moncton’s head coaching job just two weeks ago, said it was an unfamiliar post-game atmosphere in his team’s dressing room.
“It’s a wonderful feeling because the team, since I got here, has done everything that I’ve asked of them,’’ he said.
“We knew it would be a process to get to that first win . . . but they’re the best group of guys a coach could ask for. They’re learning how to play the game the right way, and they’re getting better at it every day.’’
Friday’s loss was the Storm’s sixth straight, dropping them to 5-9 on the season. That puts Summerside second-last in the league.
Moncton’s first victory came after 11 straight losses to start the season.
The Miracles took a slim 50-42 lead into halftime thanks to 14 first-half points from Trayvon Lathan, part of his team-high 23. Victor Morris also sunk 23 points in the game for Moncton.
Summerside’s Mike Williams continued his consistent play for the Storm, tallying 14 points and six rebounds in the first 24 minutes. Williams finished with a game-high 28 points and 11 rebounds.
Moncton pulled away by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, but Summerside surged back due to strong play from Jessan Gray (14 points) and Terry Martin (15).
“There’s four quarters to a game and you can’t really have (any) letdown. We just have to piece together a full game, and we just haven’t been doing that. Whatever it is, I hope we get out of this slump real soon.’’ - Storm's Eric Gilchrese
The Storm were down only 71-69 going into the final frame.
“There’s four quarters to a game and you can’t really have (any) letdown,’’ said the Storm's Eric Gilchrese. “We just have to piece together a full game, and we just haven’t been doing that. Whatever it is, I hope we get out of this slump real soon.’’
The lead swung back and forth within the final two minutes of the fourth quarter, before Summerside’s Louie McCroskey missed a lay-up to put his team up by one point.
Storm coach Joe Salerno thought McCroskey was fouled and, in frustration, jumped up and down along the sidelines.
Salerno did not wish to speak to the media following the game.
Summerside was forced to foul several times within the final minute. But Moncton, which shot 76 per cent from the foul line Friday night, was able to close out the game with free-throws.
The Storm will host the first-place London Lightning (11-3) in a rare Tuesday night game on Dec. 20. Tip off is 7 p.m. at EastLink Arena.
“With London being in first place, it doesn't really matter,’’ said Gilchrese. “We’re still coming in with the mentality that it’s a must-win, whether it’s the team at the top or the team at the bottom.’’
Your missing the point hereTwiddle Dee.. It might well be the time to play the "local yokel" as they are not doing to damn good with the "sorry outside help" they have now...