Tide's Strong Start Squandered at Home

For 24 minutes, the Tacoma Tide were staring the end of a nine-game losing streak in the eyes. That vision faded in the final 24 as the Tide lost at home to the BC Titans 107-88. "[We] had a really good second quarter, and we came out third quarter and couldn't buy a bucket," said Tide assistant coach Bob Niehl.

After falling behind by 14 after the first quarter, Tacoma got back into the game behind four made three pointers and two runs that saw the Tide collectively outscore the visiting Titans 27-13. The primary reason for the change in momentum was Tacoma’s stifling defense. The Titans turned the ball over five times and in the second quarter, but their inability to get any offensive rhythm inside forced BC into settling for outside shots, making four of 13 tries.

“We just played really well,” said Niehl. “We had some energy. We’re getting up and down the floor, we got some good looks. Our zones had them confused a little bit and [we] had a really good second quarter.”

Clinging to a 47-44 lead at the intermission, the Titans found their touch from distance in the second half as they stormed out with a 17-9 run to start play that was fueled by two of the team’s six made three pointers.

“Second half we did a better job of getting it inside first, getting’ guys’ shots moving and the shots started falling,” said BC Titans guard Chad Troyer, who scored nine of this 13 points from downtown.

While the Titans were putting up points in bunches, Tacoma got icy, shooting one of six from behind the arch and making just six of the its 14 opportunities from the free throw line.

“Once they got goin’ man, it was kinda like there was no slowin’ them down. “We gotta get the freebies, man with free throws but I don’t know, we lost by 20,” said Tide guard Antwan Williams.

The loss is Tacoma’s 10th straight.

NOTES:
Antwan Williams led Tacoma with 21 points…BC was led by Wayne Marshall and Josh Washington, each scored 22 points…Washington hit five three pointers for the Titans…The Tide returns to their home court June 3 against the USA All-Stars. Tickets are available at www.tacomatidesports.com

Be Sociable, Share!

•