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Hulkamaniacs Match Review - Throwbacks Line-up: Phil C, Ross, Beau, Murray, Adam, Luke, Phil S (visit player stats) Round 6, 2005 Winter Season Wednesday, 1st June 2005 [ HOME - MATCH SUMMARIES - PLAYER STATS - RECORDS - PLAYER PROFILES - TIMELINE ] | ||
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Throwbacks threaten, then fizzle, in Hulkamaniacs victory. | ||
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The Hulkamaniacs have scored their third consecutive Winter season victory, with a hard fought 9-point win over the Throwbacks on Wednesday night. The win consolidates the Hulkamaniacs in the top 3 - as one of only three undefeated teams in the division.
Like last week, the Hulkamaniacs entered the game with a full strength line-up, and with every reason to be confident given the early season form of Phil C, averaging 16.8 points per game. Prior to tonight, the two games between the teams have been split - with the first victory going to the Throwbacks, whilst in their most recent encounter, the Hulkamaniacs won by 12 points.
The Hulkamaniacs looked far more settled early in the match, scoring the games first 8 points to jump out to an ominous early lead. Beau in particular found his rhythm early - scoring 7 of the Hulkamaniacs first 11 points.
Phil C, Ross and Murray added early field goals of their own to keep the Hulkamaniacs out in front, as the Throwbacks were finding the going difficult against a dominating Hulkamaniacs defence. Ross then added a 3-point field goal (his second of the season) to continue his impressive night.
The Throwbacks eventually started making some shots, but unlike at the other end, their baskets were not coming easy. The Hulkamaniacs defence was at it's swarming best, in containing the Throwbacks to just 11 points after 20 minutes.
With a couple of further field goals added by Phil C just before half time, the Hulkamaniacs had managed to establish a 9-point lead at the half.
With last weeks second half scare against the Hornets still fresh in their minds, the Hulkamaniacs would have been wary of suffering a similar lapse this week. However, the Throwbacks came out in the second half with every intention of trying to run the Hulkamaniacs off their feet - a strategy very few teams had employed successfully in the past against them.
But it was working in the early stages of the second half - with consecutive baskets bringing the margin back to well within reach, with clouds of uncertainty in the Hulkamaniacs camp slowly approaching for the first time in the night.
The Throwbacks held the momentum and suddenly looked capable of a major upset. However, in a fast paced second half in which more than 50 points were scored between the teams, momentum was a fickle subject.
It didn't take long for the Hulkamaniacs to find their way, with Murray and Luke getting on the board, followed by a scoring tirade from Phil C - scoring the better part of 10 points inn an explosive 5 minute period - giving the Hulkamaniacs the ascendency once more.
The Throwbacks kept coming, but the Hulkamaniacs had the answers - with not only Phil C getting amongst it offensively, but with Beau "book-ending" his night with his own mini-run of 4 straight field goals, one of them a 3-point field goal, to put the finishing touches on an impressive second half counter punch by the Hulkamaniacs.
Though he didn't get involved offensively (on the scoreboard at least), Adam enjoyed a stellar night - contributing across the board and making himself a key player on both ends of the court. In a promising aspect to emerge from the game for the Hulkamaniacs, Adam without question had his best game this season - and quite possibly his best for several seasons.
Having steadied the ship, it was smooth sailing in the final minutes, with the Hulkamaniacs able to absorb the pressure and emerge victorious by 9 points.
The final score was 46-37.
Leading scorers for the Hulkamaniacs were Phil C with 17, Beau 16, Ross 5 with Murray 4 and Luke 4.
The Hulkamaniacs will be buoyed by the fact that in two consecutive weeks they have been challenged by their opponent, yet in both instances have found ways to fight through adversity to record victories.
Next week the Hulkamaniacs face the current top placed team, Phoenix, at 7:40pm on court 3. Both teams are undefeated after 3 rounds, and this game will be a good indication as to where both teams sit at this stage of the season.
Hulkamaniacs Poll results: Q: Do you like the "5-minute send off rule" and was Adam harshly dealt with last week by the refs? A: I like the send-off rule, and Adam shouldn't have baited the refs (3 votes), I like the send-off rule, but Adam was stiff to be thrown out of the game (1 vote). | ||
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Game notes. The Hulkamaniacs now have a 2-1 W/L record versus the Throwbacks, winning the two most recent matches since dropping the first meeting… Beau is just 7 points from reaching 500 points all-time with the Hulkamaniacs, whilst Murray has eclipsed the 250 point milestone… Phil C continues his outstanding season with another 17 points, to take his season tally to 101 points after just 6 games, equalling a Hulkamaniacs record by scoring 100 points in the 6th game of the season, a feat he also achieved in 2004… Phil C's scoring average remains at 16.8 points per game… Tonight was Luke's 90th match all-time, a Hulkamaniacs record… See the Records and Player Stats sections for more. | ||
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