The Tribune

By TENAJH SWEETING

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

The Commonwealth Bank Giants went up 2-0 on the division one Discount Distributors Liquors Rockets after game two of the New Providence Basketball Association (NPBA) Finals last night.

The Giants toppled the defending champions 101-83 to take control of the series. Both teams showed up to play in the first half with undefeated regular season Rockets leading after both the first and second quarter.

However the Giants, like they usually do, responded in the second half, leading by nine going into the final period of the game.

By the final buzzer, the Giants went up by as much as 18 points and never looked back en route to a victory on the night.

Perry Thompson, head coach of the CB Giants, talked about how it felt to take care of business after an ugly game one.

“I felt we came out from the jump and we played a better and complete game overall so it’s a great feeling and we get to play game three with no pressure,” Thompson said.

He added that he knows the team struggles with slow starts at the beginning of games. However, they will look to try something different in game three in efforts to close out last year’s NPBA champions.

On the night, the Giants finished up where they left off last game, leading in fast break points 31 to 12.

The difference maker Wednesday night was bench points as the Giants’ bench pumped in 40 points compared to the 30 from the Rockets.

The Giants took charge in the paint with a dominant 54 on 51% to trump the Rockets’ 42 on 40% shooting.

Lerecus Armbrister scored 16 of the Giants’ 40 bench points and operated as the team’s momentum shifter on offence.

He splashed four timely treys from behind the arc on an efficient 80% shooting clip.

Thompson said he gives the guys coming off the bench the green light to come on the court and run and score within the flow of the game. Armbrister did just that.

The winning team had five players score in double digits in a big win.

Dylan Musgrove led all scorers with 19 to go alongside six rebounds and two blocked shots. On the defensive end, Jordan Wilson grabbed 11 boards and three blocks.

Musgrove talked about how it felt to go up 2-0 in the series.

“It was sloppy at first but in the second half we locked in on defence and executed better than game one and came out with the win,” Musgrove said.

He added that the game plan for game three is the same as always - to come out, play hard, play defence - as they will look to win the NPBA championships.

Despite winning game two by double digits, the Giants will look to remain focused and capitalise on the ground gained in game one and two of the big dance.

The poised teams will battle it out in a critical game three for both sides 9pm at the A F Adderley Gymnasium on Friday night.