Motor City dropped a back-and-forth battle on Tuesday in the first game of the regular season slate to Capital City. They had a chance to take one right back by battling the Go-Go just two nights later.
Barn Burner Ahead
The Cruise couldn’t have asked for a better start in Thursday night’s game. Motor City put together a 10-0 midway through the opening quarter to grab a 27-16 lead. They held a 36-25 lead heading into the second quarter. The trio of Stanley Umude, Devontae Cacok and David Nwaba led the way for Motor City, combining for 23 points in the opening quarter.
It looked like this one would be yet another back-and-forth game between the two teams. Midway through the second quarter Capital City gained some steam by putting together a 12-3 run of their own to cut the Cruise lead to just a one-possession game. They wouldn’t let up and went on another run that gave them a slim three-point lead.
But Motor City put some big things together late. Led by a 9-2 run to end the half, the Cruise grabbed the lead back and head into the half up 50-46. Devontae Cacok continued his dominance in the second quarter leading the way for Motor City with 11 points. Jules Bernard, in just his second game with Capital City, led the way for the Go-Go with 10 points in the quarter, while Johnny Davis pitched in 7 points.
Crunch Time
As good as the game started for the Cruise, the beginning of the second half would not go their way. Capital City put together an early 7-2 scoring run to knot the game at 65-65. The Cruise wouldn’t back down though, putting together their own 7-2 run to put their lead right back up to five. But it would be the Go-Go taking all the momentum into the final quarter as they went on a 16-7 run to hold the hold heading to the fourth. Kris Dunn put together a solid third quarter to pace Capital City scoring 9 points in the quarter.
We’ve seen time and time again the grit of this Cruise team, and sure enough, it would be on display in this one. Motor City would go on a 7-0 run midway through the fourth to tie the game.
It would continue to go back and forth before Vernon Carey gave Capital City a three-point lead with just twenty-four seconds left to play. Keifer Sykes came up with a big shot for the Cruise to cut the lead back to one, giving his team a chance to pull this one off. Kris Dunn knocked down a free throw for the Go-Go to make it a 107-105 game with just seconds remaining. Motor City had a chance at a final shot with two seconds left, but a three-pointer from Umude came up just short as Capital City would hang on.
David Nwaba was a man possessed in the fourth, going for 11 points in the quarter. Carey knocked down the big shot late and paced his team with 10 points in the quarter.
The Numbers
Vernon Carey led the way for Capital City with 20 points and 3 steals. Kris Dunn was big again for the Go-Go with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists off the bench. Craig Sword was efficient all night with 16 points and 7 rebounds.
Jules Bernard was solid against his former team yet again, finishing with 12 points and 4 rebounds. Makur Maker did some damage with 8 points and 6 rebounds. Quenton Jackson added 6 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Isaiah Todd helped with 5 points and 4 rebounds. Devon Dotson pitched in 6 points and 5 assists, while Johnny Davis added 11 points.
Devontae Cacok put together another monster game going for 30 points, 6 rebounds and added 2 blocks. David Nwaba really helped keep his team within distance late, adding 23 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals.
Stanley Umude helped the Cruise get off and running in this one finishing the night with 12 points and 6 rebounds. Newcomer Jared Rhoden put together a nice night with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Keifer Sykes struggled with his shot a bit in the game but still went for 10 points and dished out 9 big assists.
ShawnDre Jones was big off the Motor City bench with 9 points and 9 assists. Ryan Turell continues to improve while he added 5 points in limited minutes.
Next up
Capital City will improve to 2-0 on the split regular season. They take on Greensboro on New Year’s Eve at a 1:00 tip-off time. Greensboro heads into that game at 0-2.
Motor City drops to 0-2 after the tough loss. They will have a chance to get some home cooking which might be much needed. The Cruise will welcome in Windy City (0-1) at 11:00 AM for an early New Year’s Eve tip.
