Clock runs out on Admirals Rochester wins thriller 93-92
Clock runs out on Admirals
Rochester wins thriller 93-92
By Tom O’Neill
Rochester, NY. The clock ran out on the Lake Michigan Admirals as the Rochester RazorSharks came from behind to defeat the Admirals, 93-92, Sunday at Blue Cross Arena. It’s the third consecutive PBL title for the RazorSharks and second straight against Lake Michigan.
The Admirals were in control for almost 45 minutes of the contest, up 11 points at one point in the second quarter. With 2:50 seconds left Jerice Crouch drained a three-pointer for Rochester and 27 seconds later Corey Allmond did the same putting the RazorSharks up 91-89.
In foul trouble most of the game, Nick Waddell had a questionable blocking foul called with 23 seconds left ending his season with 26 points, 13 rebounds. Josh Chichester made both at the line and it was 93-91 RazorSharks. Marlin Mason III hit one of two for the Admirals, pulling back within one. Lake Michigan had the last shot, but a double-team defense prevented the last shot as time ran out.
Lake Michigan led after the first quarter 24-20, extended the lead to 11 before Rochester fought back to tie the score at halftime 40-40.
The Admirals led 69-68 in the third, but fouls were catching up with the Lake Michigan big men. Simpson, Waddell and Marcus Tarrance were all in foul trouble with five. Simpson picked up his sixth at 9:25 of the fourth on a questionable call and Waddell escaped until 23 seconds remained.
In the end, the six-time PBL Champions prevailed with a 2-0 series win, the Admirals falling 7 points short across the two games.
Waddell led all scorers with 26 points, Simpson 14, Kareem Storey 13 along with Darren Washington and Rob Woodson 11 unofficially. Crouch had 26 for Rochester, Allmond 17, Ayodele Coker 16 points and Troy Jackson 12. The Admirals won the board battle, 46-37, shot 44.2 percent from the field and made 20 of 25 free throws. Rochester had 14 more attempts making 26 of 39 and shot 44.9 percent from the field.
