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905 hold off late Red Claws run for 3rd straight win

Raptors 905 prove they don't need to rely on long distance.

Raptors 905 108, Maine Red Claws 104 | Box Score

Two-Ways: Chris Boucher, Jordan Loyd (905), P.J. Dozier, Walter Lemon Jr. (Red Claws)

Chris Boucher recorded 32 points and four blocks while Kay Felder scored a season-high 29 points, as Raptors 905 held off a late fourth quarter run by Maine Red Claws for a 108-104 victory on Thursday night.

The 905 struggled to get an offensive rhythm going to start the game, as the Red Claws came out from the jump on an 11-0 run, eventually ballooning the lead to 21-8, for what would be their largest of the game.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by Christian Watford and a few aggressive drives to the basket by Loyd helped spark a run of their own, closing out the quarter to trail only by seven points.

Khadeem Lattin provided energy off the bench for the 905 in the second quarter, pulling down three of his 8 first half rebounds on the offensive end. 3-pointers once again helped propel the 905 run, with two by Boucher and one by Felder in the second quarter, giving the 905 their first lead of the game at 40-39 with 7 minutes 39 seconds remaining in the first half.

The 905 managed to close the first half with a 58-55 lead, but could not rely on their long range offence, shooting a dismal 29 percent (6 for 21) from 3-point territory. The 905 did in turn score 14 of 23 2-point attempts along with 12 of 15 free throws, proving that their offence is capable of generating easy baskets and free throws when the 3-pointers aren’t falling.

After an evenly-battled third quarter, a Felder lay-up at 3 minutes 59 seconds helped the 905 go on a 9-3 run to close the third quarter, giving the team a big enough cushion to hold the Red Claws off for the rest of the game, despite a 9-0 run for Maine with less than 3 minutes in the fourth.

Amidst the late-game Red Claws run, Felder reeled off five points in less than a minute, with two free throws by Loyd with 12.7 seconds left in the game to help secure the win.

Raptors 905 improve to a record of 5-1 while Maine Red Claws lose their third straight game, falling to 1-4 on the season.

Notes:

  • Two-Way 905 Player Notes:
    • The Chris Boucher watch continues, with another stat-stuffer. Boucher ended the night with 32 points (12-18 FG, 3-7 3PM, 5-5 FTM), eight rebounds, and four blocked shots. Boucher picked up three fouls in the first half but managed to hold off with five fouls late in the fourth quarter.
    • Jordan Loyd struggled from the 3-point line tonight going 0 for 8, but found ways to help facilitate the 905 offence, especially early on when the club got off to a slow start. Loyd finished with 17 points (7 for 18), nine assists, six rebounds and three steals. Loyd also once again provided the 905 with clutch free throw shooting, knocking down a pair with 12.7 seconds remaining in the game to help seal a victory.
  • Other 905 Player Notes:
    • Kay Felder scored a season-high 29 points tonight, including shooting 5 for 12 from long-range. Felder also recorded seven assists and four rebounds. In case you missed it, the 5-foot-8 guard threw down a dunk-contest worthy slam on Tuesday’s school day game.
    • Per @Raptors905MR: Kyle Collinsworth (ankle), Myck Kabongo (hip pointer), Malcolm Miller (shoulder) and Roger Moute a Bidias (ankle) were all inactive for tonight’s contest.
  • Red Claws notes:
    • It was a rough night for the Red Claws’ two-way players. Although P.J. Dozier made a lay-up 17 seconds left in the game to cut the lead to two, he finished the night scoring only 11 points. Meanwhile Walter Lemon Jr. had an off-night as well, shooting 5 of 18 from the field for 13 points. Coming into tonight’s matchup, Dozier and Lemon Jr. were averaging 17.5 and 25.2 points per game, respectively.