Edge Take 3-2 Series Lead, Bring Series Back to Mile One
St. John’s, NL — The St. John’s Edge battled back and fought hard with a short bench to take Game 5 and take a 3-2 series lead against the KW Titans on Tuesday night in Kitchener, ON. The Edge were able to get it done with just 9 players available defeating the Titans by a score of 107-92.
It had been a tough couple of games for the Edge as they were all even in their series with the Titans. They looked to turn the tide back in their favour in their last road game before they returned home for Game 6. They would do it without the services of Dez Lee who re-aggravated his lower-body injury in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.
At the start of this one, the Edge looked sluggish and were not at their best which allowed KW to jump out to the early 11-5 lead in this one. The Edge missed their first 6 attempts from the field.
After the slow start, the Edge found their rhythm going on a 13-2 run to finish off the first quarter. They got a couple of deep three’s from Jared Nickens and then another from Jarryn Skeete to give them the 23-16 lead going into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, Carl English would get the scoring started with a layup after a KW basket. The Titans would answer back with a three-pointer from Derek Hall, then right back come the Edge as Glen Davis would bury the mid-range jumper to extend the lead to 9.
Both teams would make several defensive stops to hold off the scoring for almost 2 full minutes. St. John’s would bounce back from being stopped with 5 straight points from Jared Nickens as the Edge rookie would finish with 14 points in the first half. The Titans would make a late push to bring this one to within single digits when Ed Horton hit a triple with just 24 seconds left. The Edge would get the last word in this half however, as Isaiah Tate II converted the acrobatic layup to give the Edge the 51-42 lead going into the break.
Coming out of the half-time break, the game plan seemed to be focused on defence for the Edge as they held the Titans to just 8 points in the first 5 minutes of the quarter. Jarryn Skeete and Glen Davis would both convert layups to extend the Edge lead to 18 with 5:50 left in the quarter. The Titans would scatter a couple of baskets near the end of the quarter and the Edge would hit their free-throws to send this one into the final frame with the Edge leading 83-60.
The final frame was much of the same as the Edge did not give an inch and kept pouring on the offence. Throughout the fourth, the Titans would show some signs of life, but the Edge were always quick to answer and keep their momentum. Damon Lynn would pull the Titans to within 18 with just 2:58 left in the game. St. John’s would cap off the win with a Satnam Singh layup to send this one back to Mile One Centre for Game 6 with the Edge leading the series 3-2.
Tonight’s win was a total team effort from the Edge as 4 of 5 starters finished in double-digits, while Jared Nickens led the bench with 17 points on the night. The scoring was led by Jarryn Skeete and Glen Davis who both had double-doubles with 21 points apiece.
For the Titans, they were led by Akeem Ellis who had 21 points in the Game 5 loss.
Both teams will now take a day for travel as they will both be back at Mile One Centre on Friday night to play Game 6 of their Best 4 of 7 series. Tickets are available now for Game 6, get yours by visiting the Mile One Centre box office, by calling 576-7657, or online at www.mileonecentre.com.
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