| | | |  | #s# Kirtz | LeMelle | Puckett | Borders | #e#5 Atlanta, GA (Nov. 23, 2007) - Baseline worked out to double-digit leads on several occaasions through out the second half, but had to hold off a frenzied Atlanta Metro run in the closing minutes to hang on for an 80-77 win in the opening game of the AMC Thanksgiving Classic Friday night.
The Warriors, behind the scoring of Ronny LeMelle (6'5''-G-81 - Auburn) and Rodney Kirtz (6'3''-G-79 - Mercer) worked out an early lead. The duo combine for four threes as Baseline built at 20-13 lead. But, the Panthers went on a run mid-way through the half and eventually led by as much as 29-23. Baseline's BJ Puckett nailed a three and Scott Windom came off the bench to get two key buckets to ignite a 9-0 run. The Warriors took a 42-40 lead into the intermission. In that first half, Baseline shot 57% from the field on 16-28 shooting, while holding the Panthers to 43.6% on 17 of 39 from the floor. But, AMC was still in the contest through a huge 24-12 rebounding advantage, including 14 offensive boards. The second opportunites were paying off for the Panthers. LeMelle and Kirtz had 12 and 10 points, respectively in the first half for Baseline. Shopaka led AMC with 14.
In the second half, Baseline opened on a 6-0 run to push it's lead out to eight. Though Atlanta Metro was cold, Baseline could not capitalize consistently. The Panthers got two quick buckets from Pellot-Rosa to trim the lead down to four. But, Baseline would counter with consecutive old-fashioned 3-point plays from BJ Puckett and Adrien Borders (6'0''-G-83 - Wofford). Borders would have an impressive stretch of offense, hitting a three-pointer, then later connecting on three free throws after drawing a foul on a trey attempt. Baseline built a cushion it would keep for most of the second half. After enjoying its biggest lead at 71-58, Baseline began to tighten up, taking a series of tough, low-percentage shots. The Panthers got quick baskets and trimmed the lead to 76-70, with only 2:20 remaining. Baseline would increase its lead on two Ronny LeMelle freethrows. After a Panther miss, Adrian Jones (6'5''-F/G, college: Georgia) drew a foul, hitting one of two at the line, with only 1:10 remaining. Baseline was seemingly in control with a 79-70 lead. But, Atlanta Metro would hit a three pointer, cutting it to six with 35 seconds remaining. Then, after a Baseline turnover, Metro drew a foul in the lane and hit both free throws, trimming their deficit to 79-75. Baseline went into a spread to utilize time, after running the clock down, the Warriors missed a shot attempt. Metro got the ball back and promptly missed a shot, but got two offensive rebounds before nailing a desparate floater from the baseline to get to with in two, at 79-77 with 16 seconds left. On the ensuing inbounds, Baseline broke the Panther's full-court pressure, before Chris Jones was fouled with nine ticks showing. Jones missed the first freethrow, followed by a make. Down 80-77, the Panthers inbounded and got a three attempt off quickly, missed, but the long rebound went out to another Panther, who missed another try. The loose ball bounced to another Panther player, who quickly flipped to a teammate, who launched another desparation trey attempt as the buzzer sounded. The shot lipped in and out of the rim, allowing Baseline to escape with the win.
Shopaka led Atlanta Metro with 23 points, while Steverson had 12. Brown and Pellot-Rosa both finished with nine for the Panthers, who will play Snead State on Saturday evening at 7:30pm, in the final contest of the Classic. Borders finished with 17 points, six assists and two steals on the night for Baseline, while LeMelle had 15 points. Jones had 14 points on 5-5 shooting from the floor, to go along with seven rebounds, while Kirtz turned in 12 points, six assists and two steals. Puckett (6'9''-F-83 - Clayton State) chalked up 11 points, Chris Jones five, Scott Windom four and Bobby Rouse two.
Baseline will now face Albany Tech on Saturday evening at 6:00pm on the Atlanta Metro College Campus. Albany Tech fell to Snead State on Friday evening by the score of 83-67.
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