RotoWire – Jason Shebilske

Although each game went into overtime, Blazer5 Gaming was able to advance in THE TURN, powered by AT&T with a sweep over Pacers Gaming on Wednesday.

Pacers Gaming got off to a hot start in Game 1, going on an 8-0 run before eventually finishing off the quarter with a 21-4 lead. Blazer5 Gaming went just 2-for-14 from the field during the first quarter. Pacers Gaming turned things around to begin the second quarter, going 6-for-6 from the floor to jump out to a 13-3 run over the first two and a half minutes. The Blazers were able to regain their footing later in the quarter and finished the first half with a 34-30 lead.

Mama Im Dat Man went 6-for-8 from the field for Blazer5 Gaming in the third quarter as the team increased their lead to 53-43 heading into the fourth quarter. However, the Pacers came roaring back in the fourth quarter, beginning on a 7-0 run before taking a 63-60 lead with 23 seconds remaining in regulation. Mama Im Dat Man drilled a three-pointer in the closing seconds, and Pacers Gaming missed a potential game-winning shot, forcing the game into overtime. OOC Slim committed his sixth foul in the first second of overtime to pick up a technical, but the Blazers then scored eight unanswered points en route to a 78-67 win. Mama Im Dat Man provided Blazer5 Gaming with 44 points, four assists and three steals, which helped to make up for his six turnovers, while OneWildWalnut finished with a 16-point, 21-rebound double-double. BOHIO led Pacers Gaming with 39 points and four assists, and Jomar had 15 points and 16 rebounds.

The two teams were much more even to begin Game 2. Blazer5 Gaming began the game with a four-point lead, but neither team was particularly efficient in their shooting as the Pacers carried a slim 14-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. Blazer5 Gaming jumped out to a lead in the second quarter as both Mama Im Dat Man and LavishPhenom had 10 points to end the first half. BOHIO had a 17-point half for the Pacers, but he couldn’t get enough help from the rest of the team as the Blazers led 33-26 at halftime.

BOHIO was held scoreless in the third quarter, and although Jomar had eight points and 15 rebounds for the Pacers heading into the fourth quarter, Blazer5 Gaming extended their lead to 50-36 by the end of the third behind double-digit scoring totals from Mama Im Dat Man, LavishPhenom and OneWildWalnut. However, late-game heroics took over for Pacers Gaming once again. The team trimmed their deficit to 10 points with three minutes remaining in the game, and they were able to go on an 8-0 run over the next two minutes. The Pacers tied the game in the closing seconds, and the Blazers missed a buzzer-beater as the teams headed to overtime once again tied at 57. However, Blazer5 Gaming recomposed themselves and jumped out to an early lead in the extra frame, and they were able to hold on for a 68-64 win to secure the series sweep. Mama Im Dat Man had a slightly lower total in the points column in the second game, but he finished with a double-double for the Blazers with 28 points and 14 assists. LavishPhenom went 9-for-11 from the floor to finish with 19 points, while OneWildWalnut had 13 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. Swizurk led Pacers Gaming with 23 points and Jomar had 10 points and 19 rebounds, but BOHIO went 7-for-16 from the floor despite finishing with a 17-point, 10-assist double-double.

Blazer5 Gaming will advance to play Warriors Gaming Squad on Thursday, while Pacers Gaming’s next regular season contest will come July 29 against Knicks Gaming.