Winning Streak Ends at 8

After a 75-51 drubbing of Soda Slingers on January 11th, the GrandMaMa's found themselves putting their 8 games winning streak on the line against a formidable foe, and rival, Powerstrokes.

The Powerstrokes won the battle 68-61, effectively ending the GGM's winning streak at 8.

Brandon Hunter led the way against Soda Slingers,
scoring 28 points and shooting 5 of 9 from deep. 

It was a tale of two games on the offensive side of the ball these past two weeks. The GrandMaMa's shot 41% from the floor and 44% from three against the Soda Slingers, adding 75% free throw shooting. Against the Powerstrokes however, a much better defensive team, the good guys could only manage to shoot 36% overall from the floor (32% from three/38% from two).

The passive style of play from Soda Slingers worked right into what the MaMa's do well, run and attack on offense. Andy Kempf (22 rebounds) and Matt Eberwein (16 rebounds) had double-digit rebounding nights. While Brandon Hunter, who led the team with 28 points, almost had the same with 9 rebounds of his own. Kempf recorded the first double-double of the season for the GrandMaMa's, scoring 14 points as well.

It was a great sign for the defense as well, holding the Soda Slingers to 51 points. They scored 100 the previous week. As one-sided as the outcome was, the game was never even that close. The Slingers started to get hot from deep, making 10 three pointers in the second half. That output alone would have topped their first half scoring total by 17 points. The score was 47-13 MaMa's after the first half.

The Powerstrokes however, brought a more dynamic 2-3, using their length, size, and athleticism to bother the GrandMaMa's near the half court line all night long. Inopportune turnovers and a poor shooting night took the wheels off of the machine that was the GrandMaMa's team basketball style.

Brandon Hunter and Kevin Morgan scored 16 and 19 points respectively, but combined to shoot 13 of  34 from the field (38%). Matt Eberwein (8 points), Pat Cripple (8) and Jason Hunter (6) rounded out the scoring on a night where the team shot its lowest percentage from the floor for the season.

The team was without energetic big-man Andy Kempf on this night however. A night where they could have used more intensity and hustle on both ends of the floor, especially on the glass. Kempf is leading the team in rebounds, grabbing 11 per game.

The good news is that the GrandMaMa's will get to face Powerstrokes one more time before the playoffs begin, as they match up again on March 1st.

The GrandMaMa's look to begin a new winning streak tonight as they face off against Cereal Killers, who only had 1 win as of January 10th.