RAINMEN STUN MILLRATS 101-97  |
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 If last night’s pre-season opener was a sign of things to come, Halifax Rainmen fans are in for one thrilling season.
The Rainmen saved their best for last, storming back to a stunning 101-97 victory of the visiting Manchester Millrats.
Guard Tony Bennett led the way for the Rainmen throughout the night, racking up 26 points, including a critical 3-pointer that pulled the Rainmen within a single point of the Millrats with just over two minutes left in the final quarter.
The Rainmen dug themselves into a hole early failing to bury many of their chances and trailed the Millrats by six, 29-23, after the first quarter.
Despite being repeatedly fouled, the Rainmen managed to cut the margin by a single point over the second quarter, and trailed 51-46 at the half.
Through the third quarter, and much of the fourth, it appeared the Millrats would be able to hold off the persistent Rainmen, trading baskets for the next 15 minutes. Each time the Rainmen would cut the margin to four points, the Millrats would run it back to 10. The Millrats, however, could not hold off the Rainmen’s final charge.
Back-to-back 3-pointers by Bennett and Desmond Ferguson - who tallied 18 points- put the Rainmen within striking distance and brought the boisterous hometown crowd to life.
Then, with just 1:15 left to play, Gary Ervin nailed the field goal to give the Rainmen its first lead of evening, 96-95, sending the Metro Centre crowd into a frenzy.
Strong Rainmen defence, in evidence for much of fourth quarter, held the Millrats at bay until Ervin sealed the deal, striking twice at the free throw line with just a couple of seconds left on the clock. Ervin also finished with 18 points.
The Rainmen return to the Metro Centre Sunday at 2 p.m. for their second Holiday Classic match-up against the Quebec Kebs.
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