After a gut-wrenching 127–120 overtime loss to the Tri-State Admirals, the Tri City Tide are right back at it tonight for Game 2 of the back-to-back in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Game 1 was a battle. Devon Andrews lit it up early with 26 points in the first half, but it was Kyler Haynes who nearly willed the Tide to victory with 20+ points between the fourth and overtime. The X-Factor made clutch shot after clutch shot down the stretch, giving fans a reason to believe this team has another gear.

What Went Wrong

While the effort was there, several issues haunted the Tide down the stretch:

• Transition Play: Despite having speed in guys like Myricks, Adrian Mike, and De’monte Nelson, the Tide didn’t push the tempo enough, opting instead for halfcourt sets that led to difficult looks.

• Ball Movement: Too much isolation play hurt the offensive rhythm. There were flashes of smart passing—especially in the paint—but not enough overall team flow.

• Turnovers & Press Breaks: The Admirals’ full-court pressure forced critical mistakes, and poor bounce passes led to easy points the other way.

• Paint Defense & Lateral Quickness: Tri-State’s speed in the post proved challenging for Rozelle Nix and Jaquarrius Perry, who couldn’t always keep up.

• Foul Trouble: In the end, the game was decided at the free throw line—a place the Tide couldn’t afford to lose.

Silver Linings

• Interior Presence: Both Nix and Frank Agyemang made a strong impact in the paint and will be relied on again tonight.

• Haynes Catching Fire: Kyler Haynes’ late-game explosion was huge. If he’s found his rhythm, he could be a game-changer moving forward.

• Short Rotation, Big Fight: With just 9 players, the Tide pushed a deep Admirals team to overtime. That’s resilience—and something to build on.

Game 2: Everything on the Line

Tonight’s rematch isn’t just about revenge—it’s about momentum. With a home game against the Halifax Hoopers looming Friday night, this is a crucial chance to even the record at 3–5.

Expect heavy minutes again from De’monte Nelson, Kyler Haynes, Frank Agyemang, and the rest of the starting group. Fatigue is real—especially after playing back-to-back games this past weekend and again this week—but heart and hustle will be the difference tonight.

It’s not just about talent. It’s about who wants it more.

This game will come down to:

• Effort on the glass (size doesn’t matter—passion does)

• Execution under pressure

• Sharing the basketball

• Pushing the pace when the opportunity’s there

Let’s see if the Tide can dig deep and deliver when it matters most.