The Go-Go have had a flair for the dramatic in their two home victories since returning from the Vegas showcase. They had a one point victory over the Maine Red Claws and matched that with a two point win over the Windy City Bulls last night on a last second shot from hometown product Jerian Grant.Capital City has been able to grind out some tough wins after dropping similar games earlier in the season.
The Bulls started off like many of the Go-Go’s recent opponents shooting lights out from the field in the first quarter. Milton Boyle was 4-4 (2-2 from three point range) with 10 points in the quarter. He had some crafty finishes in the lane, using his handle to get around defenders and hitting a couple of nice floaters in traffic. Windy City shot 56.5% as a team and 50% from deep en route to a 31 point output. Despite their aggressiveness, they did not make a single trip to the free throw line but they moved the ball well and got great looks at the basket. They had some issues taking care of the ball resulting in five turnovers.
The Go-Go kept pace with the Bulls hot start shooting 52.4% from the field themselves. Mike Cobbins started off the game with tons of energy, attacking the offensive glass and finishing around the basket. He had 10 points and five rebounds in the quarter and helped the home team keep pace in the opening frame. It was a back and forth quarter with neither team able to gain control over the other.
The Bulls continued to shoot the ball well in the second quarter while the Go-Go cooled off a bit. They ended the half with three players scoring in double figures with Milton Doyle leading the way with 12 points. Mike Cobbins continued to play well and Admiral Schofield started to get going but Chris Chiozza and Jerian Grant, who typically provide a scoring punch for the Go-Go, struggled in the first half. They went a combined 0-7. The Bulls took a five point lead into the locker room at halftime behind Doyle’s efficiency and a solid effort on the boards.
Capital City came out with a vengeance in the third quarter. They scored 39 points in the period and Mike Cobbins continued his dominance. He had 12 points and four rebounds and had 28 points and 11 rebounds for the game up to that point. He posted up and demanded the ball and delivered when his teammates dumped it down to him. Jalen Jones added seven points in the quarter as well as he began to attack the Bulls defenders. PJ Dozier got started to put the ball in the hoop for the Bulls as well but his fingerprints were already on this game as he filled up the box score . He finished the third quarter with 15 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
5.Both teams traded blows in the fourth quarter with PJ Dozier and Justin Robinson leading the way for their respective clubs. Dozier had 12 points in the final frame and finished the game with a triple double (27 points, 11 assists, 14 rebounds). Justin Robinson finished with 22 points and he made some crucial baskets down the stretch to help the Go-Go secure the victory. Chris Chiozza had a rough night shooting the ball but he still affected the game.
Coach Ryan Richman said after the game that Chiozza’s impact cannot be measured in the box score. His leadership, defensive intensity and intangibles won’t show up on any score sheets but it’s invaluable to the Go-Go’s success.
Mike Cobbins ended the game with 30 points and 17 rebounds becoming the first player in franchise history to produce such a stat line. Robinson made some huge plays down the stretch and almost made the game winning shot himself but Thomas Wilder blocked his layup attempt with three seconds left. On the ensuing play, Jerian Grant found himself open in the left corner and made the jumper off an inbound pass from Chiozza to put the GoGo up by two. Justin Simon missed a jumper on the other end to seal the deal for the GoGo. The Bulls had seven players score in double figures and out rebounded the GoGo 49-41. The GoGo followed their blueprint from Friday night’s game and turned up their defensive intensity in the second half to come away with a win.
The Go-Go will be back in action at home on Friday against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. They are coming off their first win streak of the season and looking to build some positive momentum.
The Go-Go currently sit at 9-9 and a handful of those games could have gone either way. With some consistency, they can finish the remainder of the season on a positive note.
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