A career high for Michael Soy ( white shirt) of the Catfish. The Catfish win over the Dragons with a score 99-80. Photo courtesy of VBA
ĐÀ NẴNG — The Danang Dragons continued to disappoint fans as they have yet to get a win after 13 games in the regular season of VBA 2023 after a loss against the Cantho Catfish with a score of 99-80 at Sơn Trà Gymnasium on August 9.
Although both coach Todd Purves and main scorer Jermaine Marrow were disqualified for getting technical fouls in the previous match against the Ho Chi Minh City Wings, the home team's players had a very good start.
The duo of William Trần and Jairus Holder scored continuously to help the Dragons take a 19-15 lead in the first eight minutes.
On the away side, the foreign duo Brachon Griffin and Joshua Keyes didn't start very well as they missed wide open shots.
But fortunately, thanks to overseas Vietnamese player Michael Soy, the Catfish were not too far behind the home team. The Dragons lead 27-23 after the first quarter.
The second quarter was similar to the first quarter. The Catfish's shooters were not in good form. Michael Soy continued to carry the Catfish as he scored more than half of the visitors' points.
With two minutes remaining in the second quarter, the visitors' players began to speed up their playing, and the comeback of Brachon Griffin and Joshua Keyes at the right time helped the visitors take the lead and end the second quarter with a score of 51-45.
After the break, the Dragons' weakness began to show, as their defense failed to stop the Catfish's attacks.
The Catfish quickly established a 10-point lead ( 62-52) and finished the third quarter with a score of 75-57. Michael Soy and Brachon Griffin were the main scorers in the third quarter.
With a well-controlled game, the Catfish continued to increase their lead to 20 points (86-66) after the first five minutes of the fourth quarter.
In the last minutes, Joshua Keyes fouled out due to five personal fouls. The Dragons took advantage of the opportunity to shorten the lead.
But there was not enough time for the home team to make an extraordinary comeback.
The match ended with a score of 99-80.
Michael Soy achieved a career high with 34 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
With this win, the Catfish continue to hope for a chance to clinch the playoffs even though the chances are slim.
The Dragons are likely to continue their losing streak as they will have to meet strong opponents the Hanoi Buffaloes and Thang Long Warriors in their next matches. — VNS
OVietnam