After a hard-fought Game 1, the Tri-City Tide returned to the court looking to even the series against the Newfoundland Rogues. Despite flashes of strong play and a third-quarter surge, the Tide ultimately fell 119-92, moving to 0-2 in the series.

Slow Start, Uphill Battle

The Rogues wasted no time imposing their presence in the first quarter, taking control early and outscoring the Tide 32-19. Newfoundland’s defensive intensity and efficient offense made it difficult for Tri-City to gain any momentum.

Things didn’t get easier in the second quarter, as the Rogues extended their lead with relentless ball movement and high-percentage shots. The Tide struggled to convert on their opportunities, heading into halftime trailing 56-33.

Third-Quarter Fightback

Coming out of the break, the Tide showed resilience. A 33-point third quarter helped them cut the deficit down to 15, fueled by big plays from Brandon Neel (22 points, 4 assists) and Kyler Haynes (18 points, 11 rebounds). Mark McLaughlin also provided a spark off the bench with 15 points on 5-7 shooting.

Tri-City’s fast-paced offense helped them capitalize on transition opportunities, and their outside shooting finally started to click. However, Newfoundland responded late in the third, keeping the lead at 81-66 heading into the final quarter.

Newfoundland Closes Strong

Despite the Tide’s best efforts to claw their way back, the Rogues put together a dominant fourth quarter, outscoring Tri-City 38-26. Newfoundland’s Tarkus Ferguson (27 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists) led the charge, while David Jasson (25 points, 5 three-pointers) and Dedrick Boyd (23 points, 11 rebounds) continued to cause problems for the Tide’s defense.

Turnovers were a key factor in the outcome, with the Tide committing 33 giveaways, leading to 38 points off turnovers for the Rogues. Newfoundland also controlled the paint, outscoring Tri-City 40-24 inside.

Key Takeaways for Game 3

With one game left in the series, the Tide will look to make adjustments before their final matchup in Newfoundland. Here are the key areas they need to focus on:

• Limit Turnovers: The Tide gave up 33 turnovers, which allowed the Rogues to score easy transition points. Ball security will be crucial in Game 3.

• Rebounding Battle: While Tri-City outrebounded Newfoundland 53-43, they struggled to capitalize on second-chance opportunities. Cleaning up on the glass will be a priority.

• Three-Point Efficiency: The Tide shot 13-42 (31.0%) from beyond the arc. Improving their shot selection and hitting key threes will be vital.

• Pushing the Pace: When Tri-City was able to get out in transition, they found success. Look for them to use their speed to create more fastbreak opportunities in the final game.

Final Game of the Road Trip

The Tide will look to finish the series strong in Game 3 tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 PM. With lessons learned from the first two games, expect Tri-City to come out with a renewed focus, looking to grab their first win of the season before heading home.

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