May 30, 2009 — Man Dem jumped out to a big lead Friday night in 40-plus basketball action at the Educational Complex gymnasium, let the Eastsiders back in the game then closed strongly in the fourth quarter to win going away, 74-54.
Six Man Dem players got into the scoring column in the opening period as they outscored the Eastsiders 21-9 to lead by 12 points after one quarter.
Man Dem continued their onslaught at the beginning of the second quarter and enjoyed an 18-point lead at 33-15 mid way through the period. The Eastsiders, however, got hot as the half wounded down and went on a 12-4 run to close out the first half down just ten at 37-27.
The Eastsiders continued their hot shooting in the opening moments of the third quarter as they opened on a 9-3 run, and suddenly found themselves down by just four points with 3:14 left at 40-36. But Man Dem went on a 9-4 run to close the third. Francis Romain got hot late in the third period for Man Dem, scoring seven points in the period to help restore order. Marc Felix netted six points in the period for the Eastsiders.
As play started in the fourth period, fatigue became a factor for both teams down the stretch. Man Dem proved the fitter of the two teams, however, led by eight points by Calvin Percival and six from Romain. They were able dominate the final quarter 23-14 to finish off the Eastsiders.
Man Dem was led offensively by Romain, who finished with a game-high 18 points, Percival netted 12, and John Briscoe knocked down nine for the winners. Felix paced the Eastsiders with 16 points and Ronald Osborne dropped in 10.
