Motor City would begin the second of a split season slate on Tuesday taking on the Capital City Go-Go. In some roster-related moves, there’s been quite a bit over the last few days for the Cruise. They would trade Jules Bernard to Capital City for Jamie Echenique. The team also signed Jared Rhoden to a two-way contract and released Braxton Key, the two-way forward.
Gelling Early
Both offenses would be set a blaze in the first quarter. Capital City would put together an 8-2 run midway through the opening quarter to hold a slim 29-27 advantage after one quarter of play. Ryan Turell came out shooting in this one to lead the scoring barrage for his team with 7 points in the first. Veteran Kris Dunn led his team with 8 points to help Capital City hold the lead.
Motor City would really begin to clamp down defensively in the second quarter while still finding themselves able to score at will. Capital City would open the quarter on an 8-0 run, but the Cruise would stay in the game and end the quarter on a 7-2 run. It would be a 53-50 lead for the Cruise heading into the half. Devontae Cacok found his groove in the quarter leading Motor City with 11 points.
Find a Way
It was a Go-Go third quarter as Capital City was able to find their offense early and often to begin the half. Motor would go back and forth in the opening minutes before an 8-2 Go-Go run midway through the quarter would gain some steam for Capital City. They would go on to score forty points in the quarter to take a 90-78 into the last twelve minutes of play. Cacok continued to keep the Cruise in with a 7-point quarter. Capital City was led by a trio of Dunn, Jordan Schakel and Isaiah Todd, who paced the team with a combined 23 points to lead the way.
As we’ve found throughout this season, this is a Cruise team that does not go down without a battle. And battle they would, finding themselves down by just three with about 1:30 left to play. It wouldn’t be enough, however, as Capital City would make some crucial plays late to take this one, 115-108.
Turell had himself another big quarter for the Cruise to make things interesting, scoring 9 points late. Johnny Davis, out of Wisconsin, showed why he was a high draft pick this year by grabbing 8 points in crunch time.
The Numbers
Vernon Carey Jr. had a heck of a game throughout. Carey would put up 24 points and 7 rebounds to lead his team. Kris Dunn didn’t do many things wrong in the game by adding 21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals for his team.
Johnny Davis came up big late and would add 18 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals. Isaiah Todd pitched in 12 points off the Go-Go bench. Quenton Jackson did a little of everything off the bench for his guys to pick up 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Devon Dotson dished on 9 assists while adding 5 points. Craig Sword and Jordan Schakel combined for 17 points. Jules Bernard, in his first game for Capital City, was productive off the bench in limited minutes with 8 points.
Devontae Cacok led the way for the Cruise with yet another monster game adding 28 points and 12 rebounds. Ryan Turell played vital minutes for Motor City and would put together his best game to date with 21 points to help keep the Cruise in it. Newcomer Jared Rhoden would struggle from the floor but still pitched in 15 points to go with 10 rebounds in big minutes off the bench.
ShawnDre Jones played a big role for Motor City with 10 points and 9 assists. David Nwaba added 8 points and 9 rebounds. Keifer Sykes added 8 points and an astounding 13 assists on the night. Trayvon Palmer and Jaylen Johnson combined for 10 points.
Next Up
With the win, Capital City has now won three in a row dating back to the Showcase. Motor City will have a chance in a sort of ‘revenge’ game when the two face off Thursday night.
