The Vancouver Knights of the North American Premier Basketball League (NAPBASKETBALL.COM) saw the Kansas City Tornados blow into town over the weekend that saw the Knights drop a pair of tough losses by scores of 107-92 and 101-87.
The newest Pro Basketball League to come to Vancouver is still hitting it’s strides in hopes of making that sinking feeling with the loss of the Grizzlies bring a resurgence to the city.
The Knights entered the weekend with a .500 record (4-4) in the 8 team league tied with the Kentucky Thoroughbreds sitting in 4th place.
The Tornados entered Vancouver with a 1-6 and regardless of the stands the first of two games against the Kansas City Tornados played at the Richmond Oval saw a good start with the teams traded leads on 7 occasions.
Photo: Nicolle Boneham (@nicolletayy).
The Knights jumped out to took a 30-26 lead after the first quarter, but KC found their legs in the in the second quarter that at one point saw the game tied at 36, only to see KC then jump on a 24-20 run at the half leading by six.
The third was when Vancouver brought the fans on the edge of their seats hitting key shots to stay within 8 points (63-55) only to see KC grab a 70-57 lead late in the quarter.
Vancouver pulled within 8 in the later part of the third making it interesting with KC up 78-71 only to see Kansas City steal a 107-92 victory.
Sunday saw the second of a double-header that saw the Knights outscore the Tornados 31-24 taking a 7 point lead that was followed with KC and Vancouver trad baskets in the second only to have KC outscore the Knights 21-10 taking a 45-41 lead to the dressing room at the half.
The Tornado’s continued to swirl around the Knights taking a 66-46 lead to the final quarter that saw the Knights have a strong final quarter, but for the fans on hand it was KC that left with a 101-87 victory, stealing both games.
Vancouver fell to 4-6 in league play while Kansas City improved their record to 3-7 on the season.
The Knights continued their home stand the following night (Monday) playing host the Kentucky Thoroughbreds who were up by half a game on the Knights and started slow, but found their stride the longer the game went on.
Vancouver got out of the gate with a strong start grabbing a 20-7 lead early in the match midway through the opening quarter only to have the Thoroughbreds find their stride the closer they got to the clubhouse turn.
Both teams combined for 60 points in the second quarter with Kentucky outscoring Vancouver by 6 (33-27) taking a 56-52 lead to the half.
For Kentucky the final two quarters would be like winning a Daily Double as they went on a 14-4 run expanding their lead to 70-56.
The Knights staged somewhat of a comeback with a 20-17 run trailing after three 87-82 by a Furlong of 15 points heading into the home stretch.
Kentucky took an 8 point lead (95-87) extending their lead to 14 late making the finish somewhat of a Marathon with the Thoroughbreds claiming a prize victory of 112-98 that one could mention that court conditions were like bringing a Filly down the home stretch claiming the Exacta for the win.
Vancouver hits the road for games against Rochester Razors (Thursday and Friday) with the games played at the Blue Cross Arena, prior to heading home to face Rochester RazorSharks February 24th with the location currently as a TBA.
Despite the fact that the Vancouver Knights are the “New Kids” on the block, this is exciting, entertaining basketball that is FAMILY AFFORDABLE that you can watch live!!
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