The Cruise would have a couple of days off after their last game, and they would take full advantage of it. Motor City would grab their first win of the season on Thursday night after a big 2nd half en route to the win over the Grand Rapids Gold.
Some Grinding To Do
The Golds would be the ones coming out fast in this one. They would take an early 15-5 lead midway through the opening quarter. The lead would swell to fifteen with just a few minutes remaining in the first. After one quarter of play, they would hold a 30-15 lead over Motor City. Peyton Watson would get off to a big start for the Golds by scoring 10 points in the opening quarter.
Motor City would come back in the 2nd quarter to get back in this one a bit. They would at one point cut the lead to single digits before the Golds would take a big lead into the half. At a score of 61-43. The Cruise would have an uphill battle coming out of the break.
Off and Running
What a start in the 3rd quarter it would be for the Cruise. They would put together a 13-8 run in the first 6:00 of the 3rd to get right back in the ball game. Motor City would build that to outscore the Golds with a big 28-16 quarter. Led by a balanced attack from the Cruise, we all of a sudden had ourselves a 6-point game heading into the final quarter.
The hot streak would continue for Motor City. On the heels of a 13-0 run to start the quarter, Motor City would have the lead at the midway point, 84-77. They would then put together another big run immediately after, and all of a sudden the Cruise would have themselves a 15-point lead with about 5:00 to play. That’s all the good guys would need in this one. Grand Rapids would cut the lead to 6 points, but the Cruise would settle in to take a 106-96 win marking their first victory of the year.
The Numbers
Braxton Key led the way for Motor City in this one pacing the team with 20 points on 10 of 17 shooting. He added 13 rebounds and 3 steals to his night. Jules Bernard had a big night off the bench leading the way with 19 points, 13 of those coming from his monster 4th quarter. He pitched in with 5 rebounds. He wasn’t the only scoring punch off the bench for the Cruise on the night. Jaylen Johnson would help out with 18 points of his own. He would grab 11 board on the night. Trayvon Palmer was also solid for the reserves, he added 13 points and had a big 4th quarter.
Peyton Watson had a big night for the Golds leading them with 32 points on 10 of 17 shooting to go with 7 rebounds. Jack White, Jared Butler, and Chasson Randle all combined for 28 points for Grand Rapids.
Next Up
The Cruise would get off to another slow start in this one but really showed their grit with a big comeback and dominant 2nd half. They will now sit at 1-2 of the young season. They will look to see if they can put two solid halves together in their next outing. Grand Rapids will move to 0-3 on the season as they have a chance to grab their first win on Sunday when they play at home against Cleveland.
Motor City will have a quick turnaround as they look to build on this one. They have a chance to keep building on their momentum when they travel to Wisconsin to take on the Herd on Saturday night.
