By Darren Feeney / KFMB Interactive
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (CBS 8) - After dropping last month's contest to the Los Angeles Slam, the San Diego Surf returned the favor Saturday evening with a 111-108 victory over last year's SoCal Division Champions of the American Basketball Association (ABA).
The Surf jumped out to a 12-point advantage in the first quarter and never looked back despite several efforts by the Slam to narrow the margin.
"I thought Aaron (Hands) got us started on the right foot," said Surf head coach Terry Mason. "He hit some shots early and the rest of the guys jumped on his back."
Hands finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The Slam made a valiant effort in the 4th quarter to cut the deficit, but San Diego guards Tim Denson and Mo Clady continued to push the ball and control the pace of the game. The Surf got a huge fourth quarter out of their newest edition, 6-foot-9 center Gene Shipley, who finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds and made several key free throws in the final minutes to secure the victory.
Swingman Cornell Williams had arguably his best outing of the season, knocking down five three-pointers as part of his 23 points.
Coach Mason was very pleased with the improved defensive effort and the contributions he got from the team as a whole, evidenced by the 45-point output from the bench.
"Everybody contributed and got a chance to be a part of the win," said Mason. "I'm very proud of the effort from our bench. The starters got a lot of support."
With the victory, the Surf moved to 20th in the ABA Power Rankings and the Slam dropped to 22nd.
The Surf (6-5) return to action this weekend with two home games at the HourGlass Arena at Miramar College. The Surf face off against the 24th ranked Modesto Hawks (7-6) this Saturday, January 29th at 7 p.m and follow-up with a contest with the California Swish from Hawthorne this Sunday, January 30th at 7 p.m.
For more information, please visit the Surf's website at: www.SDSurfHoops.com
