Final Score: Westchester Knicks 124 @ Raptors 905 126
905 Leading Scorer: Paul Watson with 30 points
905 Starters: Paul Watson, Oshae Brissett, Henry Ellenson, Devin Robinson, Tyler Ennis
905 2-Ways: Oshae Brissett & Paul Watson
905 Assignees: None
For the second week in a row it was another hump day game at the Paramount Find Foods Centre in Mississauga. This time the Raptors 905 came away with the win... in triple overtime!
First Quarter: 36-28 for the 905. The 905 shot an impressive 61.9% from the field (62.5 from three). The only reason the leader was not bigger was the 8 turnovers, many of the unforced variety. Henry Ellenon led the way with 12 points (4-4 from the field, 2-2 from deep).
Second Quarter: 71-63 for the 905. With "only" four turnovers, the 905 did a better job holding onto the ball. Paul Watson scored 14 points to lead the 905 with 20 at the half. Tyler Hall scored 13 points, including a couple of difficult threes, to lead the Knicks with a total of 18. Indeed, Hall was a scorching 6-8 (5-6 from deep) from the field. Overall, an excellent 27-47 (57.4%), 10-19 (52.6%) shooting performance by the 905 through two quarters.
Third Quarter 95-90 for the 905: A little over the half way mark, the Knicks tied the game at 80-80. The 905 responded to regain the lead heading into the fourth. Turnovers continued to be a problem for the 905 with 9 more in teh quarter brining the total to 21 leading to 21 points for the Knicks. Elleson and Watson continued to lead the way for the 905 with 23 points a piece. Hall went scoreless for the Knicks in the quarter.
Fourth Quarter: 116-116: The 905 almost overcame a 38 point disparity from turnovers (25 for the 905 leading 30 points for the Kicks) and free throws (6-13 for the 905, 10-15 for the Kicks). However, a late collapse lead lead to the need for 2 more minutes of basketball to decide the game.
Overtime: Two free throws by Kadeem Allen with four seconds to play put the Knicks ahead by 2 with four seconds to play. The 905 tied it up with two free throws of their own by Ellenson. The Kicks missed a wide open jumper at the buzzer.
Second Overtime: Foul call on the 905's first shot attempt was successful challenged by the Knicks and overturned. 905 with the pursing jump ball and take a two point lead following a Watson jumper. A Knicks floater ties the score at 122. Canadian Iggy Brazdeikis misses a three. A Mahlalela timeout avoids a 905 turnover. Following the timeout, the 905 turn it over anyways. A Jawun Evans block on the Knicks last shot attempt sends the game to triple overtime. It's officially past my bedtime at this point.
Thriple Overtime: Starts with an Evans floater that rolls out. 905 foul before the shot, first foul in the last two minutes. Huge block by Watson on an Iggy drive. Ellenson puts the 905 up by two with a follow-up put back on miss by Oshae Brissett. Knicks turn it over (credit Evans), 905 ball. Watson layup attempt falls short. Driving Knicks layup ties the game. Evans floater puts the 905 up two. 905 press on the inbounds results in a Knicks timeout. Knicks miss a semi-open 15 foot jumper, 905 win!
There's great teaching moments and good learning and, I think, at one level we toughed out a really really physical game and to win in triple overtime is a heck of an accomplishment. You have to give them credit for that first and foremost and then we can do some learning tomorrow.
- Coach Jama Mahlalela on the teaching opportunities following a triple overtime win