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The Five stay undefeated, remain atop NBL Canada standings

"The city was with us and we never looked back" says coach Logan Stutz
221118_AP_The_Five19
The Sudbury Five played their first game in Sudbury Thursday evening and did not disappoint the raucous, sold-out crowd. (Arron Pickard/Sudbury.com)

The Sudbury Five played their first game in Sudbury Thursday evening and did not disappoint the raucous, sold-out crowd.

The Five dropped the London Lightning by a score of 112-107, moving their record to 3-0 and are one of just two remaining undefeated teams in the early going of the 2018-19 NBL Canada season.

After the team’s inaugural season festivities, the Five didn’t waste any time getting on the board. National Basketball League of Canada Week One Player of the Week Jaylen Bland once again opened the scoring for the Five with a three-pointer. 

The Saginaw, Michigan native led all players in scoring after the first quarter with 11 points, including 3 for 4 from behind the arc. Sudbury local Alexander Henry also made use of his short time on the court, converting his one shot attempt and scoring his first two points in a Five jersey. 

After the first quarter, the Five led by four, 27-23.

The second quarter was much the same for the Five’s newly established star. After facing an adjusted closely watched defence from the London guards, Bland once again led all players in scoring, shooting an identical 3 for 4 from behind the arc, and dropping 15 points in the quarter. The Lighting were led by small forward Maurice Bolden who scored 12 points in the half. At the half way point in the game, the Five were up ten, 61-51.

The third quarter was all defense by both sides. The Lightning adjusted their game plan and put increased pressure on both Five guards. The Five responded in kind, and their big men went to work. North York native Grandy Glaze continued his strong play from the weekend, scoring six in the quarter. Local talent George Serresse led the team offensively scoring seven points in the quarter. 

After 36 minutes, the Five were up 7, 87-80.

With the focus turning to defense in the final minutes, Coach Stutz turned to his shutdown lineup. Glaze continued to impress posting four points and four rebounds in the quarter. With time winding down, the Lightning continued to push the floor, led by AJ Gaines who posted 12 points in the frame. However, the late push wasn’t enough, with the Five taking the game 112-107.

“I’m still in shock from the atmosphere tonight,” said Head Coach and General Manager Logan Stutz. “We were told to expect a sell-out but could have never expected the response from the Sudbury crowd. From the start of the game to the final buzzer, the city was with us and we never looked back.”

Five guard Jaylen Bland led the way for the Five, going 11 for 17 from field goal range and scoring 28 points. Big man Grandy Glaze led the way in the paint, scoring 18 points with 8 rebounds to close out his third game in a Five uniform.

The Five now turn their attention to the Windsor Express as they head down south for a contest against the Express on Wednesday, before returning back home on Saturday to take on Windsor at the Sudbury Community Arena. 

Tickets for Saturday’s game are going quick and can be purchased through the Sudbury Arena Box Office or online at www.greatersudbury.ca/tickets.


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