Despite a record-setting performance by the opposing center, the Bowling Green Hornets dominated the fourth quarter Friday night on the way to a 138-131 victory over the visiting River City Panthers at Russellville’s Jim Young Gymnasium.
Playing as if he were at home on the homecourt of the Russellville Panthers, River City Panthers center Mike Gills, who scored the most points in the Central Basketball League's early history last night, with 39 points. Even though he’s only 6’6”, Gills also pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds. He took 33 shots, hitting 15, including just 3 of 12 from long range.
Coach Otis Key’s team countered by placing eight Hornets in double figures, led by Justin Taylor with 28 points and Jamal Crook with 22. Tony Key and Zamarius McClendon each scored 17, Runtreal Braxton 15, Kahlil McDonald 14, Michael Stone 11 and Keon Grant 10. It was the second straight game that the Hornets field eight guys in double digits.
The first quarter went back and forth between the two teams, highlighted by a mammoth block by former Russellville center Key in the lane, one of six in the game for him, to send a message early to everyone that this game meant business. The Hornets broke through in the second frame, led by a sensational alley-oop dunk by Taylor from former WKU point guard Crook, capping a 15-0 run, giving the Hornets a double-digit lead.
The Panthers clawed their way back with very tight defense, and efficient inside scoring, led by Gills and Jason Angel, to take the lead late in the third quarter. But then the Hornets role players stepped up in the 4th quarter. Stone led a 32-12 charge for the Hornets, with three crucial three pointers, while McClendon and Grant put on a scoring clinic, allowing Bowling Green to cruise to victory. The Panthers cut the deficit to seven by the end of the game against the Hornets reserve players, but the fate of the game had been decided late in the fourth with the Hornets up by 19.
On the boards, the Hornets had two players in double figures, Key and McLendon, with 11 and 10 rebounds, respectively. Crook (7) and McDonald (6) led the team in assists. Grant had 4 steals with Taylor, Crook and McDonald credited with 3 each.
For the Panthers, Jason Angel and Rockie Robinson had 27 points each, while Brandon Lee and Julian Jones scored 14 and 13 points, respectively. Gills (15) and Angel (14) led the team in rebounds, giving them both excellent double-double performances.
Most of the team statistics were virtually even. With Hornet numbers first, it was 54-52 in field goals made, 107-106 field goals attempted, 30-30 three-pointers attempted, 10-9 three-pointers made, 49-47 rebounds, and 22-23 personal fouls.
The differences, though, were all in the home team’s favor: 39-28 free throws attempted, 21-17 free throws made, 24-11 assists, 22-15 steals, 20-29 turnovers, and 8-2 blocks.
The Hornets were without some key players. Gone were home regulars Vic Moses and Teng Akol along with Russellville’s Squeaky Hampton, who was with his grandfather, Charles Boyd of Russellville, who had undergone major surgery that day.
General Manager Waseem Moorad and his spokesman, Lucas Celsor, led the Hornets in honoring the Concerned Citizens of Russellville-Logan County. A number of youngsters in the program’s tutorial program attended as guests of the Hornets. Speaking for Concerned Citizens were Director Doris Vick and highly active volunteer Bob Balance.
The Hornets improved to 2-3 on the season, and will face an important late-season matchup next Saturday night, June 8, at home against the 4-0 Middle Tennessee Storm. The Panthers (1-6) will return home as well and face off versus the Galesburg Pride in Peoria, Illinois.
The game was also the first game in Central Basketball League history to be broadcast live nationally, using the video broadcasting deal between the Hornets and KYSCO Broadcasting, LLC. The action was viewed live on www.livesportscaster.com, and a replay of the game is expected to be forthcoming on the website for those that missed the live action.