May 10, 2004

Blue Ducks lose in double OT to Cedar Rapids

Team heads to St. Louis next to take on Skyhawks

Melbourne, Florida – After two thrilling games resulting in close losses against the first place teams in the east and the west, the Brevard Blue Ducks can take solace in the fact that they are the best 2-8 team in basketball.

Friday, the Blue Ducks closed out their homestand in Brevard by losing a heartbreaker to the first-place Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs, 109-108, compliments of a couple of controversial calls from the refs that took one point away from the Ducks on a free throw and then gave Pennsylvania a pair of three throws themselves with 1.4 seconds left to win the game.

On Sunday, against the Cedar Rapids – the first place team in the west, the Blue Ducks played with the same type of intensity and resolve they showed against Darryl Dawkins and Company, coming close to handing the River Raiders their first home loss of the season. But alas, it was not to be. Down by three with 5.4 seconds remaining, a three-pointer tied the game at the end of regulation for the River Raiders and sent it into overtime tied 107-107. A last-second drive by Cedar Rapids tied the score again at 113-all at the end of the first overtime. The Ducks finally ran out of steam in the second OT, getting outscored 15-9 as they were handed their 8th defeat in what has become a frustrating start to the season.

“We’re playing the top teams in the league pretty much even right now. We’re coming out with energy and intensity. Our offense is beginning to work and we’re starting to get things down defensively. We’re doing everything except getting the win right now,” lamented Ducks owner Mike Richman.

DUCK NOTES: Newcomer Tony Bland continued his impressive play since coming to Brevard, leading the Blue Ducks with 27 points. Nat Burton and Rob Brown netted 21 a piece. Brevard out rebounded Cedar Rapids 52-48, but committed a season-high 27 turnovers, eight by point guard Tony Harris.

How the Ducks Flies: Brevard’s Midwest swing will encompass 6 cities in 13 days and cover 4537 miles by air and ground. To track the Ducks travels, log onto the Blue Ducks website at www.BrevardBlueDucks.com.

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