The Sudbury Five were backed by the cheers of an electric hometown crowd last night, reclaiming their advantage over the Windsor Express with a 116-112 win.
The Five entered the second half of the week’s home-and-home series against the express hungry for revenge after a close loss in Windsor on Wednesday.
Similar to that match, on Saturday night the two teams got off to a quick start, with Five guards Jaylen Bland and Braylon Rayson faced off against high-pressing Windsor defence. This focus on defence opened up space on the floor, allowing Travis Releford and Devin Gilligan to each score six points in the quarter.
The Express were led by guard Horace Wormely, who scored eight points in the quarter, securing a 34-28 lead for Windsor within the first 12 minutes.
With the Sudbury crowd erupting behind them, the Five took the floor in the second with a new game plan in hand. Big man Grandy Glaze led the way for the Five in the quarter, coming off the bench to post seven points and four rebounds.
National Basketball League of Canada’s Week One Player of the Week, Bland rediscovered his scoring touch, contributing six points in the quarter. The Five went into the second half down one, 54-55.
The third quarter was the story of two opposites. On the one side were the Express, who scored by committee in the quarter, with eight different players scoring at least one point. On the other hand, The Five were led by Releford and IR designate Dexter Williams Jr.
Releford continued his strong game for the home side with 11 points in the frame, while Williams Jr. shot 4-4 from the field for eight points in the quarter. The Five entered the fourth quarter down six, 82-88.
No stranger to comebacks against the Express, the Five moved into the final 12 minutes confident and firing. Rayson dominated the quarter, started off the final frame by driving and heading to line, making both foul shots. The Dallas, Texas native led all players in scoring in the final frame, with 13 points, three assists and two rebounds.
The Five led the quarter from start to finish, with nine points in the quarter by Bland and timely steals and rebounds by the whole team. After scoring a total of 34 points in the quarter, the Five achieved their comeback to win the game 116-112.
Rayson moved into first in NBL Canada league scoring after Saturday’s contest. The former Central Michigan standout, finished the game with a double-double, contributing 28 points, 12 assists, and three rebounds.
Saturday proved to be Releford’s best game in a Sudbury Five jersey, with 26 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
Williams Jr. added another page to his storybook season, shooting 4-5 and scoring 10 points in the game. After missing the team’s initial roster, Williams Jr. was added as an designated injury reserve for Walter Pitchford. The Jackson, Mississippi native currently leads the lead in field goal shooting at 85.7 per cent.
The Five now look to their next home game Thursday, Dec. 6, as they welcome the Saint John Riptide for the first time to the Sudbury Community Arena.
Tickets for the game can be purchased online at greatersudbury.ca/tickets.
