An expected loss today as Otherland fell to the Shakin Babies on television, 107-73. Mocanu a newcomer to the SHakin Babies started out hot, going 8-9 to start the game before "cooling" down to 15-25. Mocanu, in his 1st game with the Babies finished with 38 points, 6 rebounds (4 offensive) 4 assists 2 steals 1 block and 0 turnovers. Someone needed to step up with the Babies' leading scorer Estramigas injured early in the 1st quarter, and Mocanu was happy to Oblige.
For Otherland, it was a solid defensive performance against a vastly superior team. Playing thin at Center with Chung Hui's injury, Belkhaouas played 47 minutes of action, shooting a HORRENDOUS 7-23 from the floor, missing a 3 attempt, and going 3-6 at the line. Belkhaouas finished with 17 points, 17 rebounds (4 offensive), 4 blocks and 6 turnovers. Fatigue, and lakc of back-up were factors as Chung Hui plays more of a passing/playmaking Center, and is more on the perimeter offensively than Belkhaouas.
With the expected loss Quigley got the start over Salas. QUigley was on pace much of the game for a triple double but feel short in the end. Quigley, forced into many jumpshots, shot 3-13 overall, 0-1 from downtown, split his only 2 FT attempts, and ended with 7 points 8 rebounds (1 offensive), 8 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and 1 turnover. Against a lesser team he probably would have pulled it off. That or if Belkhaouas personally wasn't trying to keep a rebounding pace with Shakin Babies and league leading rebounder Carapio.
Salas got a solid 13 minutes of action shooting 4-8, including a DEEP 3 ball, missing his only FT attempt, and collecting 3 rebounds (2 offensive), 1 steal and 1 turnover. His 9 points off the bench were all momentum plays that gave Otherland scoring runs.
Citak also played well off the bench. Forcing Mocanu into a lot of tough shots, as well as playing better than Zwirski offensively. Citak played 18 minutes scored 10 points on 5-10 shooting, with 5 rebounds (2 offensive) and 1 block.
Zwirski fouled out, scored 5 points on 2-9 shooting, split his free throws, and had 7 rebounds (4 offensive), 3 assists 1 steal and 1 turnover. Zwirski at the half had a decent chance at a triple dbl, but got into foul trouble in a hurry, and eventually fouled out.
Stuart Huey trying to be top Stuart as well as top PG on the Champions, played 38 minutes, scored 10 points on 5-10 shooting, was blocked on a buzzer beater attempt from downtown, and recorded 2 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and only 1 turnover.
Watt, signed to replace Huey, has been disappointing thus far. Today going 1-5 shooting for 2 points with 1 block. Watt also was blocked on a buzzer beater attempt. Watt did not record a single assist.... the main reason he was acquired was to open up the offense for others, so he has been failing his job thus far with only 2 assists per game with Otherland.
Otherland a 6.0 rating team on average playing the Shakin Babies on average rated 7.3, did a fantastic job despite playing at a lower effort level with less enthusiasm than their opponent. With divisional play re-starting, things could be very interesting for Otherland!