Edge Drop Game 3 to Titans, Still Hold 2-1 Series Lead

St. John’s, NL — The St. John’s Edge began their road trip in this Divisional Finals match-up with a loss to the Titans at the Aud in Kitchener, ON. The Titans were able to put together a solid second half on route to the 103-96 win over the Edge.

Coming into this one, the Edge were holding a 2-0 lead in the series after they took both games on their home court. With the series now shifted to KW’s home court, the Edge would look to take a commanding lead. 

The first quarter started off relatively quiet with both teams missing their opening attempts. The Edge would get on the board first when Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis dropped a layup after his signature spin move. Following an exchange of baskets by the teams, the Edge would pull ahead 12-5 when Murphy Burnatowski drained a three-pointer in front of his hometown crowd. This marked the first time Murphy has played in his hometown since high school, this would be the narrative all night for the sharpshooting power forward.

 As the quarter progressed, the Titans would put together a couple of small runs to get them back into it. With 30 seconds left on the clock, Olu Ashaolu would hammer the ball through the hoop down low to put the Edge up 27-24. KW would answer, as they would get a triple from Denzel James and send this one into the second quarter all tied at 27.

 From the start of the second, the Titans looked like they were about to take control of this one, but the Edge would fight back and retake the lead at the 8:13 mark when Carl English would hit a three in transition.

 Both teams were not giving an inch in this one, with the Edge holding the lead by the narrowest of margins. The Titans were also plagued by foul trouble with their primary big man, Flen Whitfield, having to take a seat due to foul trouble. The Edge tried to take advantage of this by getting the ball into the post for Glen Davis and Olu Ashaolu, but as they would score the Titans would answer by dropping mid-range jumpers to keep this one close. At the end of two quarters, the Edge were up 55-54. 

Out of the half-time break, the Edge would again start the scoring on the strength of a couple of trips to the line by Dez Lee and Glen Davis. The free-throws would also hurt the Edge in this one, as they only shot 60% from the line. 

At the 7:04 mark of the third, the Titans got the lead back on a Damon Lynn layup. Murphy Burnatowski would answer right back for the Edge as he nailed a corner three to keep them within 2 points of KW. Turnovers late in the quarter would give the Titans a chance to extend the lead, which they did. They would hit their mid-range jumpers and find their way to the hoop for layups and head into the final quarter up by a score of 82-72. 

The Edge would have to dig deep in the final frame to try and mount the comeback. Early on it looked like they would be bringing this one back into their favour as Dez Lee would hit a layup then a three to bring the Edge back to within just 7 points. 

Every Edge basket would be answered by either free-throws or by made shots by the Titans. With less than a minute left, Dez Lee would slash through the defence to hit the tough bucket and bring them to within 6 points. This would be as close as they would get as the Edge would have to play the foul game and end up on the wrong side of this one, losing 103-96 to the Titans. 

On this night, it was the homecoming of Murphy Burnatowski that was the big story. The lefty dropped 25 points with 4 rebounds and 4 steals. As a team the Edge had 4 players score in double digits and they would end up shooting 49% from the field in the loss. 

For the Titans, they were led by Ed Horton who had 25 points in the win. 

The series is now at 2-1 for the Edge with Game 4 coming up on Sunday afternoon in Kitchener, ON. It will be another tightly contested match-up, be sure to follow along by heading to www.nblclive.ca or joining us at Boston Pizza Water Street for the watch party. Game time is set for 3:30 PM NLT. 

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