The Great Falls Electric, the top seed in the TBL’s Western Conference Pacific Northwest Division, with an 18-3 record, hit a roadblock when the Seattle Super Hawks came to town. The Super Hawks (12-8), coached by Alex Montgomery who was filling in for head coach Craig Jackson, took the lead early in the third quarter and upended the Electric, 133-128 for the Electric’s third overall loss and first at home this season.
Deon Stroud of the Super Hawks led all scorers with 38 markers on 9-for-16 shooting and connected on 50% of his three point field goals (3-for-6). Emeche Wells and David Jenkins, Jr. combined for 50 points for Seattle. Hawaii native Nahshon George pulled down 18 rebounds.
Lyle Hexom was the leading scorer (35) and rebounder (8) for head coach Steve Keller’s squad. KD Moore, the team’s top regular season scorer, finished with 31 points and dished out nine assists in nearly 44 minuts on the court. Former University of Washington product who spent time with the NBA Development League’s Los Angeles Lakers affiliate, the Los Angeles Defenders during the 2015-16 seasons, Robert Upshaw played in his first game after joining the team this past week, scored 18 points. The 7’1″ made 53.8% of his shots in his home debut.
The Electric raced out to an 18-4 advantage five minutes into the first quarter before the Super Hawks called a timeout. KD Moore, Lyle Hexom, Antwaan Cushingberry, and Dexter Williams, Jr. accounted for the scoring for Great Falls during that time span. David Jenkins, Jr. and Chayce Polynice added the four points for the visitors. Polynice’s dad, Olden, played 15-years in the NBA including a few seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics. Before the quarter expired, Seattle closed the gap and trailed by seven points (34-27).
A basket by Nahshon George cut the deficit to six points (39-33)1:43 into the second quarter but that was as close as the Super Hawks would get before halftime. KD Moore and Robert Upshaw added the final five points in the last 32 seconds of the quarter with the home team leading 72-58.
Seattle’s offense outscored Great Falls, 18-13 midway through the third frame. A timeout was taken with the Electric leading by nine points (85-76). Seattle’s Deon Stroud connected on a pair of free throws with three minutes left in the quarter to give the Super Hawks their first advantage (90-89). Both teams kept it within one point but a basket by Emeche Wells with 29 seconds left put Seattle out in front (99-98) prior to the start of the fourth quarter.
Nearly two minutes escaped to begin the final quarter before Emeche Wells connected on a long distance shot for the four point advantage (102-98). The score remained close for the next few minutes before the Super Hawks took the lead for good and came back after falling behind for the first three quarters.
Seattle and the Wenatchee (WA) Bighorns (twice) are responsible for the three losses for Great Falls with three regular season contests to go.
