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Outta Townerz remained the only winless team remaining after Evans & Hill won in Wednesday’s first game, but it would have to go through undefeated-Silver Lining to earn its first win. Despite a heart-breaking overtime loss in its first game, Outta Townerz has displayed potent three-point shooting and long scoring runs. However, it needed to overcome Silver Lining’s depth and physicality in order to pull the upset.
Behind Aaron Turner’s physical play, Silver Lining scored the game’s first seven points. The team drew plenty of fouls and made its first seven free throw attempts versus two for Outta Townerz. Meanwhile, Tykeim Moss and David Dennis, Jr. paced the team in the first half, scoring ten and twelve points, respectively. Although Silver Lining dominated the paint and free throw line, Outta Townerz dominated behind the arc, hitting seven threes versus one for Silver Lining. Keenen Lowe headed the arsenal attack with three of his own while Khaleal McCormick added eleven points to help Outta Townerz maintain its advantage. Still, in the first half neither team led by more than seven, or scored more than two consecutive baskets until Silver Lining made its third straight with 20 seconds left. However, with ten seconds remaining, Lowe hit a jumper for a surprising 41-40 halftime lead and sparking momentum for the second half.
McCormick scored the first nine points of the half during an 11-0 run by Outta Townerz before Silver Lining called a timeout. Afterward, Silver Lining stole a ball and started a fast break, but missed two straight layups, leading to a Trent Lucas three-pointer to extend the run to 14-0. Facing a 15-point deficit, its largest of the tournament, Silver Lining attempted more threes, converting six in the second half including four from Joel Jackson. However, his team trailed by double digits until David Dennis, Jr. hit a layup with 7:30 left, making the score 66-57. Nevertheless, a comeback was difficult as Silver Lining’s first half strength became a second half weakness, missing three of its next four free throw attempts. Although Jackson and Dennis each scored 19 points in the game, Silver Lining could not overcome the duo of McCormick and Lowe which recorded 32 of Outta Townerz’s 44 second half points. In securing the 85-71 upset win, McCormick and Lowe each scored 27 points, and were both named Mojo Sports Gear Players of the Game; the first time two players were named for the award.
Outta Townerz improves to 1-2 and will face IBT (2-1) on Saturday, July 18 at 11:00 am. Silver Lining drops to 2-1 and will face ENS (3-0) on Saturday at 12:15 pm.