January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Wildcats down St. George's International 80 to 66
Wildcats down St. George's International 80 to 66
Despite trailing St. George's in the early minutes, Smith's pressure defensive created a series of turnovers that sparked an 8-0 run led by Ryan Rabain.
With an 18-13 lead in early half, Smith's continued to attack the rim, scoring at the basket with ease. As St.George's guard Junior Warner entered the game, he quickly hit back to back shots to slow Smith's momentum and pull St. Georges' within six points with eight minutes remaining in the half. Ignited by back to back jump shots by Steven Simons, Smith's pushed their lead 12 points with three minutes remaining. As St. George's leading scorers Charjuan Knight and Damon Saunders struggled from the field, Smith's ended the first half on a 6-2 run to take a 42-27 lead.
In the second half, St. George's finally found their shooting touch and started on a 10-4 run to cut Smith's lead to nine. As Smith's coach implored his team from the sidelines to keep up the defensive pressure, Steven Simons scored 4 transition points from turnovers created to once again give his team a double digit lead.
A three point jump shot from Jason Simons with thirteen minutes pushed Smith's lead to 56-42 with 13 minutes remaining.
As Jonathan Lugo picked up his pressure on Simons in the backcourt, he was able to force two key turnovers to pull his team to within 12 with eight minutes remaining. Steven Simons answered by scoring five of his game high 22 points in 40 seconds to extend his team lead to 15.
As time elapsed St. George's chances of providing Smith's with their first loss of the season grew faint. In thrilling fashion, Damon Saunders delivered back to back dunks to quiet the crowds cheers, however, a three point shot by Seward Smith four minutes remaining bought the fans to their feet as he put Smith's on top 73- 56 with three minutes remaining.
Sensing that victory was near, Steven Simons put the dagger on any St. George's comeback with an acrobatic lay-up at the rim as the shot clock wound down with two minutes remaining.
Smith's Wildcats finished their undefeated season in epic fashion to make PBL history and defeat St. George's in convincing fashion in a final score of 80-66.
Steven Simons was named the 2010 Cellular PBL finals MVP with his 22 point performance.[[In-content Ad]]
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