MASTERSON KEEPS HOPE ALIVE FOR DEMONS
DALLAS -- The bold move to replace Lemon Jell-o in the starting lineup with scoring ace T.Kanes Masterson paid off for Demons coach Country Slaughter (aka Tyler Masterson). The retiring Masterson responded with a 27-point game and Dallas staved off elimination, winning 77-70 to make this a 2 games to 1 series lead, advantage Charleston.
Masterson was spectacular, especially early, when he popped in 12 first-quarter points despite being guarded by one of the best MBA defenders, Beezow Bop-Bop.
The third quarter was the turning point in the game, with Dallas finally asserting its power on the boards and getting multiple shots while Charleston center J.J. Gargantuan languished on the bench, thanks to an early foul.
Trailing by nine going into the final quarter, Charleston pulled to within 3 with half the quarter remaining, then moved to within one point, 64-63 shortly thereafter. But two huge buckets by Dallas' Taylor Quackstick and one from Bootlace Barnaby thwarted the attempted comeback.
Both point guards for Charleston shot horribly, combining for 3 for 18 shooting.
The two teams were a combined 1 for 21 from beyond the arc.
It should be noted that Masterson scored 25 points in the lone regular season game played between these two teams and won in overtime by Dallas.
The Finals returns to Charleston for Game 4, where the Mountaineers can now win it all in front of their home fans. Masterson, however, is expected to start again and will have something to say about delaying the celebration.
PLAYER OF GAME
T. KANES MASTERSON of Dallas not only burned Charleston with 27 points; the 6-3 shooting guard pulled down 8 rebounds and dished out a pair of assists in his first playoff start this season. He scored 12 in the first quarter, 5 in the second, 4 in the third and 6 in the fourth. Despite Bop-Bop blocking three of his shots, he still dominated his man.
OTHER 20-PLUS GVP PERFORMERS
-- After a 2-point effort in Game 2, Dallas power forward Sven Marquardt returned to form with an 18-point game that included five power-slam dunks and a game-high 9 rebounds. He added 1 assist and 1 steal to the mix.
-- Beezow Bop-Bop had his hands full all game guarding Masterson, but the Charleston guard still managed 3 blocked shots, 15 points, a game-high 2 steals, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
-- Despite missing most of the third quarter, Charleston center J.J. Gargantuan led his team in scoring with 22 points on 9 of 10 shooting and a number of spectacular moves around the basket. He also had 2 rebounds and held Naceg Gecan to just 8 points.
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