Semifinals Game 1...Charleston at Sacramento

SACRAMENTO 66, CHARLESTON 58

R-DOGS 'D' CHEWS UP CHARLESTON 

SACRAMENTO -- The MBA's top two defensive teams grappled and grinded for four quarters tonight, with the Sacramento River Dogs and its 'No. 1 stopper' badge of honor emerging victorious, 66-58 in the first game of this semifinals match-up.

The home team River Dogs harrassed the hell out of Charleston, limiting them to just 42.6 percent shooting. Charleston was almost as audacious defensively, holding Sacramento to 15 points under their season scoring average.

Charleston was very much in the contest right to the end, trailing by just 3 points with 6 time units remaining and needing a stop. Sacramento snuffed the Mountaineers' hopes with a quick bucket on a pass from Great Gruncle Terry to Doo-rag Dripp down low that sealed the deal.

The winners got a good game off the bench from Cremeofsum Yunguy, who contributed 12 points.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Sacramento's stalwart point guard GREAT GRUNCLE TERRY was his reliable self in this playoff opener and the key to the win. The third-year leader directed the attack with a game-high 7 assists while playing excellent defense. The 6-5 Terry scored 13 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and blocked 1 shot. He was 5 for 13 from the floor (2 for 6 from deep, including 1 dunk) and 1 for 2 from the foul line. He's the alpha in this pack.

OTHER 20-PLUS GVP PERFORMANCES

-- The top scorer on Sacramento all season long was the high-point man for both teams in this game. Doo-rag Dripp piled up 18 points for the victors, also leading both teams in blocked shots with 2 while pulling down 3 rebounds and swiping 1 steal.

-- Hall of Fame center J.J. Gargantuan of Charleston was a defensive madman all game long, shutting out Sacramento's fine center Tree Fiddy and lending a hand on numerous other occasions to thwart other River Dogs would-be scorers. The 9-year pivot also led everyone in rebounds with 9 while scoring the most points (13) for the losing team.

NEXT UP: Oklahoma City returns home to try and fend off elimination against highly favored Dallas after getting smoked in Game 1. After failing to advance beyond the semis the last two seasons, the Demons have their eyes on their first Finals in the four-season Chip Battoe era.