|
Hulkamaniacs Match Review - Dwarfz Line-up: Phil C, Ross, Beau, Murray, Adam, Luke, Phil S (visit player stats) Round 10, 2004/05 Summer Season Wednesday, 16th February 2004 [ HOME - MATCH SUMMARIES - PLAYER STATS - RECORDS - PLAYER PROFILES - TIMELINE ] | ||
|
Adams clutch final free throw salvages a draw for the Hulkamaniacs. | ||
|
The Hulkamaniacs recovered from a 14 point half-time against the Dwarfz on Wednesday night, managing to salvage a draw after an uncharacteristically poor first half showing. It was the largest half-time deficit the Hulkamaniacs have faced this season, and the largest half-time deficit before coming back to score a win (or a draw). After a convincing 27-point defeat of the Dwarfz earlier this season, the Hulkamaniacs entered the game confident of extending their franchise record 8-game winning streak. And they had every reason to be confident in the early going, with Phil C looking in ominous form hitting a field goal, followed by a perfect 3-point shot shortly after to give the Hulkamaniacs an early advantage. Ross then added a 3-point field goal of his own to extend the early lead to 6 points, 8-2. However, it would be slim pickings for the remainder of the first half for the Hulkamaniacs, as they struggled to contain the height advantage of the Dwarfz in the key - and realising this, the Dwarfz became almost unstoppable down low throughout the first half. Beau added his first field goal, but the Hulkamaniacs - for possibly the first time in season 2004/05, were powerless to stop their opposition from scoring - as seemingly everything being thrown up by the Dwarfz was going down. Prior to the half, Beau added a field goal, followed by Phil C's second 3-point field goal on the night, keeping the Hulkamaniacs within reach. It was an underwhelming opening half by the Hulkamaniacs - and their second lowest total for a half this season (13). Despite a very strong first half by the Dwarfz, the door was not completely shut on the contest, but a stellar performance would be required for the Hulkamaniacs to make up the deficit. Phil C started the second half much like the first, hitting on his third 3-point field goal, and followed by a regular field goal straight after - which was exactly the start to the second half the Hulkamaniacs needed. Within a couple of minutes, the lead was cut to 9. The defensive pressure was turned up by the Hulkamaniacs in the second half, resulting in a number of Dwarfz turnovers and subsequently leading to opportunities at the other end of the court for the Hulkamaniacs. Adam scored his first basket of the night, in his first competitive match for almost 3 months. Little did he know at this stage, the eventual impact of his return on the outcome. In what was shaping as a great fightback by the Hulkamaniacs, the scores kept flowing - whilst the Dwarfz scoring had dried up considerably since the break - as they continued to watch their half-time lead dwindle. Beau stamped his impact on the game, scoring 7 crucial points in a matter of just minutes, drawing the Hulkamaniacs to within a couple of field goals with just a few minutes remaining in the contest, and suddenly, an unlikely win seemed possible. Ross, seemingly developing a knack for hitting key shots at big moments, connected on a 3-point field goal, his second of the night, to bring the margin to 2 points with around a minute left. Adam, after a more than useful return to the line-up, hit on a huge 3-point field goal (the teams 6th of the night) to give the Hulkamaniacs an improbable lead with just seconds on the clock. But seemingly destroying the storybook finish - the Dwarfz rolled in a clutch field goal at their end on the ensuing possession, to give them the lead back by a solitary point. On the Hulkamaniacs next possession, with time fast running out, a foul against the Dwarfz stopped the clock with literally a couple of seconds left. On the inbounds, Murray lobbed a pass to Adam who was temporarily unmanned in the key, but as the pass was made, the Dwarfz scurried back to the basket, and a hard foul was the result, as Adam hit the floor - hard. The foul sent Adam to the line with less than a second on the clock, for two free throws. The scenario was clear - make both and the Hulkamaniacs would score an unlikely victory, their ninth in a row - make 1 out of 2, it would be a fitting draw in what had truly been a game of two halves - but miss both, and the Hulkamaniacs would walk away empty handed, after a frenetically paced second half which deserved so much more. The immense pressure Adam was under only intensified, after the first of two free throw attempts, barely missed. Fittingly, however - Leading scorers for the Hulkamaniacs were Phil C with 13, Beau 9, Ross and Adam 6 each and Murray 2. It was a successful comeback to the team for Adam, not only hitting the game-tying free throw, but hitting the earlier 3-point field goal that put the Hulkamaniacs in front. The Hulkamaniacs would be hoping Adam can make an equally important contribution on the run to the finals. Following
tonight's draw, the Hulkamaniacs hold onto their 1st place position on
the division standings, with 8 wins, 1 loss and now 1 draw. Next week,
the Hulkamaniacs face the Wolverines, who are in sixth position with 4
wins and 5 losses (and 1 forfeit). MVP Standings: Phil C (51), Beau (39), Ross, Murray (27), Luke (23), Jayson (20), Adam (18), Phil S (9). - Luke Last weeks Hulkamaniacs Poll results: Q: What has been the Hulkamaniacs best win this season? A: vs Dwarfz - Round 2, 27 point win (3 votes), vs Pre Mix King - Round 9, 7 point win (1 vote). | ||
|
Game notes. This is the Hulkamaniacs third ever draw - with previous drawn matches against the Hornets and the Camels, both in season 2002/03… Before tonight's draw, the Hulkamaniacs franchise record winning streak was 8 games… There have been suggestions that it should now be referred to as an "unbeaten" streak… The Hulkamaniacs remain atop the division 2 standings, for the sixth week in a row… Adam has now played 4 games this season, bringing him within 1 game of qualifying for the finals… Jayson was unavailable for tonight's match… See the Records and Player Stats sections for more. | ||
|
[ HOME - MATCH SUMMARIES - PLAYER STATS - RECORDS - PLAYER PROFILES - TIMELINE ] |