Senators survive Slammers fast finish

The Stirling Senators survived a fast finish from the South West Slammers to secure an important away win last night at the Eaton Recreation Centre. 

 

The Senators had exploded off the blocks early to open the game with a 14-4 advantage as the Slammers struggled to cope with the size of the Senators front court of Majstrovich, Lindbergh and Ellis. The Senators exploited their size advantage by dominating the boards and securing multiple points in the paint. The men from Stirling also pushed the ball in the open court at will,  challenging the defensive transition of the Slammers. The fast start resulted in a 32-22 first quarter score.

 

A more settled approach in the second quarter from the Slammers resulted in a quick 10-0 start before an AJ Majstrovich two point basket stopped the run. The home team suddenly found their groove and three consecutive three points baskets from Hitchcock, Nicholls and Crouch even saw the home team hit the front 38-36 for the first time only three and half minutes into the second quarter. 

 

However, with Royal Crouch off the floor, Stirling responded with a 12-0 run of their own to regain ascendency late in the quarter and coupled with a Lindbergh three pointer on the buzzer, the Senators headed into the long break with a 59-48 advantage. 

 

The third segment of play was punctuated by defensive intensity that saw both teams struggle to reproduce the free flowing baskets of the first half. Both teams came out with physical intent that made it difficult to get open looks at the ring. Heading into the 4 quarter, the visiting team held a 12 point lead over their opponents. 

 

As the fourth quarter ticked on, the dry scoring of the third was long forgotten as the Slammers mounted a late surge in search of victory. Stirling had led by as many as 15 points with just over seven minutes to go in the game before a barrage of scores from the home team reduced the margin to one point. Wade Hitchcock's three pointer with three minutes left brought the home team to within one point, 88-87. South West had several chances to hit the front but failed to score in the remaining minutes of regulation as the Senators pulled away courtesy of the shooting hands of youngster Jayden Coburn, who nailed an important corner three as well as a free throw to extend the margin to 5 points to keep the game away from the Slammers reach. The Senators would eventually prevail to a 93-87 win. 

 

The Senators answered the late Slammers challenge by producing some of the game's best defensive possessions to close the game out, holding the Slammers scoreless in the last three minutes- Kyle Lindbergh in particular produced two crucial blocks late in the game to shut the door on the Slammers hopes of a come from behind victory.

 

Stirling had several scorers in double figures including Coburn (16 pts), Wroe (11pts), Ellis (24pts, 11 rebs) and Lindbergh (25pts, 13 rebs). South West were paced by import duo Nicholls (20pts) and Crouch (21 pts) and an efficient 17 points from youngster Travis Durnin. 

 

Next up for the Slammers are the Perry Lakes Hawks, who are led by former Slammers Assistant coach Charles Nix and boast former Championship big man Brian Carlwell in good form as well former Slammers players Jordan Hickert, Ryan Smith and Cory Richardson.

Article by Vlad Alava
Photo by Deprimo Photography




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