Rotowire

Raptors Uprising GC and Hornets Venom GT played a thrilling three-game set Thursday evening. It was a back-and-forth series, but Raptors Uprising came through in the clutch to secure a 2-1 series win.

Raptors Uprising GC extended their impressive start to the season in Game 1 of the three-game set, quickly jumping out to a 17-12 lead in the first quarter and further extending their advantage to seven points at the break following a 22-20 second quarter. The Canadian franchise pulled away for good in the third quarter, however, as they outscored Hornets Venom by a 22-10 score. Up by 19 points heading into the final frame, Raptors Uprising lost the final quarter by a 23-21 score but that didn’t prevent them from winning by a comfortable 82-65 score. Raptors Uprising GC did a better job of taking care of the ball, committing just nine turnovers as opposed to the Venom’s 15.

Naturally, KennyGotWork and Sick One carried the Raptors here – the point guard finished with 32 points and eight rebounds, while the center posted 24 points and 14 rebounds. TimelyCook filled the stat sheet with seven points, five dimes and 10 steals, while ReeceMode chipped in with 12 points. Zae posted 21 points for Hornets Venom, while Snubby chipped in with 19 while committing six turnovers. Type registered a double-double thanks to 12 points and 14 rebounds while adding nine assists, four steals and three blocks.
Hornets Venom turned things around in Game 2, though. Aided by a strong 19-9 first quarter, Hornets Venom grabbed control of the contest and built a 12-point lead by half time. Raptors Uprising woke up in the second half, however, and won both remaining quarters by scores of 21-19 and 24-17, respectively. Raptors Uprising came close to completing the comeback in the final quarter, but they couldn’t take advantage of their chances and came away on the losing end of a thrilling contest.

Type paced Hornets Venom with an impressive 18-point, 18-rebound double-double, and he also added six assists, four steals and four blocks. Zae scored 24 points and Snubby chipped in with 17 points, three assists and three steals. KennyGotWork led Hornets Gaming with 24 points and seven assists, while Timelycook added 18 points. Sick One notched 19 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks.

The third game saw Raptors Uprising take control of the contest in the early going, as they jumped to a 24-15 lead following the first quarter. The Canadian franchise further extended their lead after a 27-14 second quarter, meaning they built a 22-point lead at halftime. Venom GT pulled things closer with a 23-17 third quarter, but Raptors Uprising didn’t let the game get away from them. A 17-16 fourth quarter gave them an 85-68 win and the victory in this three-game set.

KennyGotWork was the star for Raptors Uprising since he finished with 39 points and nine assists, while ReeceMode contributed 15 points and Sick One posted yet another double-double – this time, he finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Type was the Venom’s best player thanks to his 24-point, 16-rebound effort, while Snubby notched 14 points and three assists. Expose registered 19 points and five assists.