The Storm, keyed by a strong second quarter, defeated the Halifax Rainmen 103-92 in improving their Atlantic Division-leading record in the National Basketball League of Canada to 9-7 (won-lost). The Rainmen fell to 7-8.
It was the second time in a week that the Storm won at the Halifax Metro Centre after recording a 113-90 decision last Sunday.
In the latest matchup between the two teams, the Rainmen started strong and led 30-24 after the first quarter. But the Storm outscored Halifax 28-14 in the second quarter to take a 52-44 lead into the half. The Storm led by 10 points, 77-67, after three quarters.
Former Rainmen Brandon Robinson poured in a game-high 28 points for the Storm, who outscored the Rainmen 40-32 in the paint and 25-17 off turnovers. The Storm’s Greg Plummer had 15 points while Antonio Ballard finished with 13 and Chris Cayole scored 11.
Joey Haywood’s 18-point effort was tops for the Rainmen. Antoine Tisby (16), Quinnel Brown (15) and Eric Frederick (15) were Halifax’s other leading scorers.
Ballard and Brandon Hassell each pulled down nine rebounds.
Upcoming games
The Storm is back on the road on Sunday for a matinee against the Saint Mill Rats (7-7) at 2 p.m. The Storm then returns to Eastlink Arena for three games over a six-day period, starting with Halifax’s visit on Boxing Day at 2 p.m. The Moncton Miracles (8-9) provide the opposition on Friday, Dec. 28, at 7 p.m., and the winless Montreal Jazz (0-11) comes to town for a New Year’s Eve contest at 7 p.m.
