Doug Creighton’s clutch three with fewer than 50 seconds remaining gave Pure Youth Construction a 76-72 lead as they held on to defeat the defending champs Taiwan Beer 79-75 at the National Taiwan University of Physical Education and Sport Gymnasium in Greater Taichung last night to close out the three-game weekend with a 2-1 record.
The Player of the Week winner for last week, who started off the weekend slow with a scoreless outing on Friday night, came on strong with a solid effort on Saturday, before playing the hero of the game last night to help his club salvage a winning mark for the weekend.
The Builders looked tough in the opening frame as they took a surprising 22-8 lead against the Brew Crew. However, the momentum swung Taiwan Beer’s way as they answered with a 25-point second quarter to end the first half trailing Pure Youth 38-33.
After an evenly fought third that saw Taiwan Beer cut the deficit to four, they tied the game at 67-67 midway through the fourth with a 5-0 run to turn it into a seesaw affair that set the stage for Creighton’s game--deciding three.
Trailing by two with 10 seconds left, Taiwan Beer had a golden opportunity to send the game into overtime with Yang Jing-min sneaking a layup attempt past the outstretched arm of the Builders’ Quincy Davis on an apparent foul by Davis.
However, neither the shot nor the call came as the Brew Crew fell victim to another close game to end the three-game weekend with a 1-2 record.
BANK OF TAIWAN 49, KINMEN 47
Bank of Taiwan pulled off a mild upset by downing Kinmen Kaoliang in a 49-47 final in the early game in Greater Taichung yesterday afternoon to end a 10-game slide.
Lin Rei-kuen’s tie-breaking jumper with time expiring was the difference in the game as the speedy guard redeemed himself for -committing a crucial turnover with fewer than 60 seconds remaining that could have cost his team the game.
“It’s great to be able to help the team win one after what we’ve been through,” Lin said after the game.
The loss put a damper on the Distillers’ recent surge that had people talking about them making a run for the post-season. They had won three straight heading into this weekend, before dropping two in a row to the Builders and the Bankers.
TIGERS 86, LUXGENS 80
The Dacin Tigers made it a 2-0 weekend by topping the Yulon Luxgens 86-80 in the night game to skid past the Luxgens in the latest standings.
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
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