Williams and Wade notch season-high scores in Dragons’ victory
KUALA LUMPUR: American imports Brian Williams (pic) and Tiras Wade both notched season-high scores as the Westports Malaysia Dragons roared past the Jobstreet.com Singapore Slingers 86-71 at THEMABA Stadium yesterday.
A week after becoming the first team to score 100 points in an Asean Basketball League (ABL) match, the Dragons continued to flex their muscles as they crushed the Slingers with a solid defensive display.
It all went right straight from the tip-off as Wade sank a three-pointer and the Dragons took a 12-0 lead against the ABL’S best defensive team.
Williams, 25, made his presence felt as he grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds and scored 30 points, including two amazing three pointers, as the Dragons took a half-time lead of 47-34.
In the third quarter, the Slingers mounted a comeback and cut the deficit to just eight points, trailing 4149 at one stage.
But Wade continued to impress with his shooting, scoring 12 out 19 field goal attempts, including five three-pointers, for a total of 34 points as the Dragons extended their lead.
In the final quarter, Slingers top duo — Louis Graham and Donald Little who contributed 25 and 19 points each — ran into trouble and were ejected from the game.
The Dragons then held on to their advantage with a strong defensive display to wrap up the match.
“This was by far one of our best defensive games. The intensity was simply phenomenal,” said Dragons head coach Ariel Vanguardia.
“We knew the Slingers were good at the back and I challenged my boys to step up in defence, which they did.
“I’m also quite surprised that both Williams and wade scored more than 30 points. But I’m not going to complain if they keep shooting like this.”
With the win, the Dragons have now moved back into second spot in the standings behind the Philippines Patriots with 10 points from five wins and two defeats.
The Slingers are further back in fourth with eight points but have lost their best defensive record following this crushing defeat.
The dragons head to the philippines next Satuday to face newcomers San Miguel Beermen.