In the latest round of the Mexicali Fresh Summer Jam there were wins for Gauchos and Birdmen.
Gauchos appeared to be heading for defeat when they trailed Railsplitters by fifteen points (78-63) at three-quarter time. However, with Taine Murray scoring 13 points in the final period, Gauchos completed a comeback to win 96-91.
A Marvin Williams-Dunn drive and a Denhym Brooke put back opened the Gauchos scoring in the final frame but with Tinashe Matambanadzo and Kazlo Evans making baskets the Gauchos revival was instantly visible.
Railsplitters were still in control with 5:30 to play leading 86-72 but the complexion of the contest changed when Murray landed a triple and Williams-Dunn and Brooke went back to back – the Splitters needed a timeout.
Matambanadzo scored on the resumption but it was meagre pickings for the Splitters and when Matt Lacey scored from beyond the arc the scores were tied at 90 points apiece with 1:30 to play.
Dillon Boucher scored from the foul line for the Splitters but the Gauchos closed out the win as Murray and Lacey earned successful trips to the charity stripe.
Earlier the Boucher’s, Dillon and Jayden, were to the fore as they continually picked holes in the Gauchos defence creating opportunities for Ethan Skelton, Luka Vea, Matambanadzo and Evans. They led 49-42 at half-time and appeared on track for the win as the lead increased in the third frame.
Gauchos had other ideas!
Gauchos 96– T Murray 18, M Williams-Dunn 17, Z Te Puni 12, M Lacey 12, D Brooke 9
Railsplitters 91– T Matambanadzo 24, D Boucher 9, E Skelton 9, K Evans 8
* Note there were no individual scorers recorded in the first quarter therefore player points are only for quarters 2-4..
Paced by 32 points from Davidson College boundSam Mennenga and 22 from guard Jaylen Gerrand Birdmen proved too strong for Blue Chips winning 110-98.
Kiani Saxon made the early running for Birdmen whilst Dru Leo Leusage-Ape showed his ability to get to the rack for Blue Chips in a first quarter that ended 28 points apiece.
Birdmen had the better of the second leading 53-45 at the interval but the scores were back to level pegging (75-75) at three-quarter time.
The two teams traded buckets early in the final period – Chris McIntosh, Nate Wilson and Leusage-Ape helping Blue Chips keep pace with Birdmen.
A couple of inside baskets from Levick Kerr helped Birdmen to a 92-83 lead before Kevin Braswell and McIntosh responded.
Leusage-Ape scored ten points in the final frame for Blue Chips but Mennenga and Gerrand controlled proceedings in the closing minutes – a corner three from Harry Payne putting the exclamation mark on a deserved win for Birdmen.
Birdmen 110– S Mennenga 32, J Gerrand 22, L Kerr 15, K Saxon 12, H Payne 10
Blue Chips 98– D Leusage-Ape 21, K Braswell 15, N Wilson 13, C McIntosh 13, J Mete 8
The Mexicali Fresh Summer Jam is supported by HoopQuarters, SAS and ABSL.
LACEY LOWDOWN 