Big boost from bench helps Sideline

Jul 30, 2023

WHEELING, W.V. — A strong performance off the bench, and a decisive fourth-quarter showing propelled the Sideline Cancer basketball team to a 60-51 win over Challenge ALS in the second round of The Basketball Tournament played Thursday night.

Sideline Cancer will now play Herd That on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the round of 16. Herd That is a team comprised of former Marshall University players.

Sideline trailed Challenge ALS, a team made up of former Florida players, going into the fourth quarter, 43-41. In the final frame, they outscored their opponent, 17-8 to go 2-0 in tourney play.

Marcus Keene led the winners with 17 points to go with seven rebounds. Saint Francis grad Keith Braxton Jr. added seven points and six boards. Chris Coffey came off the bench to lead the way with 13 points.

Sideline’s bench finished with 25 points while Challenge could muster only 10 points off its bench. Starters Antonio Blakeney and Marvelle Harris scored 18 and 14 points, respectively. Blakeney was a standout performer in the SEC at LSU during his college days.

Sideline led, 52-51, at the end of four quarters before beginning play in the Elam Ending portion of the game. The targeted score was made 60 points which Sideline reached well ahead of its opponent.

Coffey hit a crucial layup during the Elam Ending, and teammate Keve Aluma followed with a dunk for two more points.

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