10-31-2013 | Tigers begin defense of crown, defeat Lions 64-49

10-31-2013 | Tigers begin defense of crown, defeat Lions 64-49

By: Tani Finkelstein

On the Lion’s first possession of the game, the Tigers forced a turnover. This was a repeating trend throughout the game for Lions, as the Tigers would not relent on defense, and continued to hack the Lions and force turnovers throughout the game.

At the beginning of the game, neither team could get their offense started. The Tigers were heaving up shots from the perimeter which would not fall. Lions center Sam Kalnitz was crashing the glass all game and finished with 8 points. However, the Tigers began to pick it up about midway through the first quarter, and got many points off of fast breaks from turnovers they created for themselves. Jeremy Goodman of the Tigers, finished the first half with 10 points and finished the game with 12. Josh Newlander also provided some nice scoring for the Tigers, scoring 11 points on the game.

Lions’ guard Myles Ratner was aggressive all game, finishing with nine points. The Tigers were in control the whole entire time, though midway through the second quarter, the Lions managed to get it to within seven. The Tigers finished the half on a good note, hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer, extending their lead to 19.

In the 3rd quarter, the Tigers continued their fierce defense on the Lions and it continued to produce points off of turnovers. Sam Kalnitz continued to pull down boards for the Lions. Overall the quarter was pretty quiet for both teams as neither team could get their shots to fall. The Tigers led by 21 points at the end of the quarter.

In the 4th quarter, Atlanta fought hard and managed to outscore the Tigers by six in the quarter, but the damage had already been done. Chicago’s strong defense proved far too much for the Lions to handle and the Tigers were victorious, winning 64-49.