Link: http://www.yakimaherald.com/page/sp/319648927890402

Published on Wednesday, January 30, 2008

CBA — Sun Kings hang on, avoid upset loss
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

McALLEN, Texas — The last time the Yakama Sun Kings faced Rio Grande Valley, they whipped the Silverados by 50 points, taking out their frustrations from their first defeat of the season the previous night.

Tuesday was a dramatically different story, with the Sun Kings needing every point possible to turn back a fourth-quarter rally, eventually winning 104-100 as Desmond Ferguson hit 3 of 4 free throws in the final 13 seconds.

Yakama (27-1) captured its 13th straight victory, earning six of seven quarter points, and improved to 14-0 on the road.

Despite its late rally, which eventually cut Yakama's 10-point lead to 101-100 with 14 seconds left, Rio Grande Valley fell to a CBA-worst 5-27, losing for the 10th time in its last 12 games.

But the Silverados didn't play like a last-place team against the Sun Kings, pushing them to the limit before Ferguson capped a 28-point night with his clutch foul shooting.

Jason Sasser added 25 points, and Tim Ellis had 16 for Yakama, which shot 58 percent for the game (37 of 63).

Yakama seemed in control, leading by nine at the half, and 78-68 after three. But the Silverados opened the final quarter on a 9-1 run and trailed 81-80 after a 3-pointer by Renaldo Norman.

Yakama answered with a 9-3 run, and led 95-87 with about three minutes left before Rio Grande Valley made one last surge.

With the lead down to 97-95, Yakama seemed to finally seal things when Moochie Norris scored on a layin and then hit two free throws for a 101-95 lead with 35 seconds left.

But Norman hit a jumper and, after a Norris turnover, Trent Eager converted a three-point play to cut the lead to 101-100 with 14 seconds left.

Ferguson made 1 of 2 foul shots and the Silverados' final chance evaporated when Eager missed a 15-footer and Ferguson rebounded with 1.9 seconds, was fouled and hit both shots.