On Monday morning, the Raptors 905 dropped their 6th game in a row in their annual Scotiabank Arena game, to the Greensboro Swarm. That streak was snapped the following night as the 905 avenged their previous day’s loss back at Paramount Fine Foods Centre.
In Monday morning’s game, the Swarm found a rhythm early, as they moved the ball and fought their way into the paint. 905 big man Reggie Perry was aggressive early on both ends, attacking the paint for six points and three rebounds in the quarter, but ultimately the Swarm’s high energy allowed them to end the period with a 29-23 lead. The second quarter saw the Swarm extend their lead with trey balls, good rebounding, and active hands on defense, turning the 905 over. Greensboro carried a 17 point 61-44 lead into the half.
The energy picked up for the 905 as the team came out in the second half with intentions to get themselves back into the game. As the once 26 point lead was cut to 12 entering the fourth frame, the Swarm applied the pressure on both ends to assert dominance and hand the 905 their sixth straight loss. Swarm guards Kobi Simmons and Jalen Crutcher put up 23 and 28 points, respectively, while forward Xavier Sneed put up 21 points and 12 rebounds for a double double. 905 middle man Reggie Perry finished the contest with 28 points and seven rebounds, two-way guards Jeff Dowtin Jr. and Ron Harper Jr. contributed 20 points apiece, while Justin Champagnie notched 10 points and 11 rebounds for a double double of his own.
On Tuesday evening, the two teams were back at it again, with the Swarm having intentions to sweep, and the 905 with intentions to split. With Toronto Raptors guard Dalano Banton in the lineup, the 905 came out of the gates swinging, starting the game with a made three pointer, and a steal leading to another trey ball. Ball pressure on Banton, who finished with 19 points and four assists, allowed opportunity for the guard to pass the ball well and create good ball movement from the team. The Swarm picked things up and the quarter finished with a 29-25 Raptors lead. After a big slam from forward Gabe Brown and overall strong 905 start to the second quarter, it was the Swarm that ended the half with momentum, as they took a 60-57 lead into halftime.
Refusing to extend their losing streak, the 905 came into the second half with a sense of urgency, starting on a 6-0 scoring run. A combination of good paint penetration, better rebounding, sticky hands on defense and solid rim protection led to the 905 taking an 85-74 lead into the final frame. In this fourth quarter, the Swarm made their runs but ultimately it was the 905 who came out victorious, getting themselves back in the win column with the 101-114 dub. Former 905 guard/forward Ashton Hagans was the high scorer for the Swarm with 23, and Reggie Perry was once again the high scorer for the 905 with 24 and 10 rebounds for a double double. Jeff Dowtin Jr. and Justin Champagnie added in 19 and 17 points, respectively.
The 905 are back in action Friday December 9th at 7pm, and again on Sunday December 11th at 1pm in away games vs the Maine Celtics.
