The Storm, faced with the challenge of playing three games on the road in less than 72 hours, won once and lost twice. The win – 86-74 – came against the expansion Windsor Express on Friday night while the Storm lost 105-97 to the Oshawa Power on Saturday night and 97-93 to the Express on Sunday afternoon.
The two losses leave the Storm’s all-time record in Ontario at 3-6.
The Storm’s record now stands at 4-2 (won-lost) going into a key home-and-home series with the Moncton Miracles this week. Moncton is 4-3, and Thursday’s opening game at the Moncton Coliseum will be a showdown for first place in the Atlantic Division. The teams then return to Eastlink Arena in Summerside on Friday for a 7 p.m. start.
Express 97 Storm 93
At the Windsor Family Credit Union Centre, Mike Helms poured in 20 points to lead the Express while Anthony Johnson sank 16. Greg Surmacz chipped in with 15.
Antonio Ballard led the Storm with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Summerside’s other top point-getters were Al Stewart (14), Avery Smith (11) and Chris Cayole (11).
The Express led 54-46 at halftime.
The game stats were almost identical for both teams. For example, the Express bench outscored the Storm’s 37-35, and each team scored 40 points in the paint, 10 second-chance points and 18 points off turnovers.
Ballard’s double-double was the third of the season for the Storm. Ayodokun Akingbade (12 points and 10 boards) and Al Stewart (17 points and 12 assists) recorded the other two against Saint John on Nov. 9.
Power 105 Storm 97
At the General Motors Centre, the Storm led 22-17 after one quarter, and took a 49-47 cushion into halftime.
Oshawa outscored the Storm 24-20 in the third quarter and 34-28 in the final period. The Storm closed to within five points late in the fourth quarter, but costly turnovers sealed the win for Oshawa.
Jushay Rockett poured in a game-high 24 points to lead the Power, who received 23 from Larry Diamond and 18 from Amari Daanish.
Cayole led the Storm with a 19-point effort. Smith (18) and Akingbade (17) were Summerside’s other two top scorers.
A key statistic in this game was the Express outscored the Storm 36-26 in the paint.
Community
Summerside Storm’s schedule in the community:
Monday, Nov. 19
6 p.m. – Supper at Brothers Two restaurant.
Tuesday, Nov. 20
Noon – Province House in Charlottetown with Premier Robert Ghiz for Movember.
6 p.m. – Supper at Pizza Delight.
Wednesday, Nov. 21
8-10:30 a.m. – Queen Charlotte Junior High School (Queen Charlotte students only).
11 a.m. – ISE’s restaurant in Charlottetown.
1-3 p.m. – Practice at UPEI Field House.
Friday, Nov. 23
7 p.m. – Home game vs. Moncton Miracles.
Saturday, Nov. 24
2 p.m. – Bluefield High School Subway Hoop Classic basketball tournament.
5:30 p.m. – Santa Claus Parade in Charlottetown.
