The Tri City Tide’s highly anticipated home opener brought a packed house at Crandall University, with 650 passionate fans filling the stands. The energy in “The Court” was undeniable as the Tide faced off against the Halifax Hoopers in what promised to be a competitive matchup. However, despite moments of promise, the Tide struggled to find their rhythm, ultimately falling 98-74 in a game where execution made the difference.

The loss moves the Tide to 0-1 on the season, but there were some positives to take away—especially the performance of the bench unit, which provided a much-needed spark.

Sparks Creative Player of the Game: Jenovic Mbuyamba

One of the biggest bright spots of the night was the play of Jenovic Mbuyamba, who made a major impact off the bench and earned Sparks Creative Player of the Game honors. In just 13 minutes of action, he tallied 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, grabbed 4 rebounds, and added 1 assist. His ability to score efficiently, attack the glass, and bring energy off the bench was crucial in keeping the Tide in the game, especially during key moments in the second and third quarters.

Another strong performance came from De’monte Nelson, who contributed 9 points, 2 assists, and a rebound off the bench. Nelson’s quickness and ability to create offense in transition helped the Tide push the tempo when Halifax’s defense tightened up in the half-court.

Bench Unit Provides a Much-Needed Lift

The Tide’s second unit played a crucial role, combining for 43 of the team’s 74 points. Alongside Mbuyamba and Nelson, James French added 8 points, while Christian Ndiaye provided a perfect 3-for-3 shooting night for 6 points and 4 rebounds in limited minutes.

While the reserves helped provide scoring and energy, the Tide struggled with overall efficiency, finishing the night shooting just 30% from the field (28-91) and 22% from three-point range (7-31). Halifax, by contrast, was much more efficient, knocking down 41% of their shots overall and 30% from deep while also converting at a strong 68% from the free-throw line (17-25).

Where Did the Game Slip Away?

1. Shooting Struggles

The Tide had open looks but couldn’t convert at a high enough rate to stay in striking distance. Shooting just 30% overall and 22% from deep made it difficult to keep pace with Halifax’s efficient offense. Finishing at the rim, capitalizing on fast break opportunities, and knocking down perimeter shots will be key areas of focus going forward.

2. Turnovers Leading to Transition Points

Turnovers played a huge role in the game’s outcome. The Tide committed 20 turnovers, many of which led to easy buckets for Halifax in transition. The Hoopers capitalized with 16 fast break points, punishing the Tide for every mistake. Cleaning up careless turnovers and making smarter decisions with the basketball will be critical as the season progresses.

3. Communication on Defense

Defensively, the Tide had moments of strong play, but lapses in communication allowed Halifax to find open looks and control the tempo of the game. The Hoopers were able to move the ball effectively, finishing with 19 assists as a team compared to the Tide’s 16 assists. Improving defensive rotations, talking through screens, and staying locked in for all four quarters will be a point of emphasis moving forward.

Key Individual Performances

• Kyler Haynes – 16 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST

• Jenovic Mbuyamba – 12 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST (Sparks Creative Player of the Game)

• Qyemah Gibson – 12 PTS, 7 REB

• De’monte Nelson – 9 PTS, 2 AST, 1 REB

• Frank Agyemang – 5 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST

Despite the loss, the Tide showed flashes of potential, especially with the depth they displayed off the bench. If they can tighten up execution, knock down shots, and limit turnovers, they’ll be in a much better position to compete moving forward.

What’s Next for the Tide?

With the home opener now behind them, the Tide shift their focus to building momentum in the coming weeks. They’ve shown they have the talent to compete, but sharpening their execution on both ends of the floor will be the key to getting in the win column.

Can the Tide bounce back in their next matchup? Stay locked in and catch all the action live on TBL TV!