The Great Falls Electric (4-0) continued on with their three-game road trip in The Basketball League (TBL) on Saturday by going to Vancouver, Washington for a contest against the Volcanoes (1-3).
Great Falls opened the first quarter with a jumper by Antwaan Cushingberry 70 seconds into the contest for the early lead. Vancouver’s Kienan Walter tied the contest with 9:42 left on the clock. The last lead (15-13) for the Electric came on a jump shot by TJ Maston, Jr. before the Volcanoes offense kept making shots to lead throughout the rest of the quarter. Vancouver carried a 28-19 lead into the second quarter.
Vancouver continued to build on their first quarter lead in the second. Dajaunte Williams’ basket increased their lead to 45-30 for the home team with 6:14 on the clock. Lyle Hexom, Dexter Williams, Jr., and Antwaan Cushingberry closed out the first half with an 8-0 run that began during the final 55 seconds but still trailed 50-46.
Denzel Banks opened the third quarter by scoring the first four points (54-46). Two minutes expired before the Electric made their first basket on a dunk by Lyle Hexom. Great Falls would not get any closer than five points.
Great Falls started the final quarter trailing 74-68 against a tough-minded Volcanoes offense that would not allow much scoring for the Electric through most of the contest.
Lyle Hexom’s turn around jumper gave the Electric their first lead of the half (79-78) with six minutes remaining. A layup by Antwaan Cushingberry, a pair of free throws by Hexom and a layup by KD Moore sparked the visitors to an 85-78 advantage with two minutes to go. The Volcanoes fought back and a three pointer from Myles Warren fell short at the buzzer and Great Falls completed their comeback victory with an 86-83 win.
KD Moore led a balanced attack for the Electric scoring 27 points while Lyle Hexom and Antwaan Cushingberry combined for 26 as the Electric won their fourth straight game.
Vancouver guard Denzel Banks was the top scorer for the Volcanoes with 26 points. Jaylyn Richardson acquired 16 points in 48 minutes and led both teams in rebounding with ten.
Great Falls and Vancouver will meet three times in the month of April. On April 5th, both teams will return to Hudson Bay High School for a single game followed by a two-game home series at Great Falls High School on April 11-12.
