Only one thing went wrong for the Albany Patroons. Their return flight got canceled and they’ll have to stay Saturday in Newfoundland before flying back on Sunday morning.
Otherwise, it was a perfect trip.
The Patroons scored the game’s first 11 points on Friday and never trailed in a 134-108 blowout over the Newfoundland Rogues in Game 1 of The Basketball League’s East Conference finals at Mary Brown’s Centre in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Ed Dyson III had 22 points and 15 rebounds to lead Albany (24-4), which will try to close out the best-of-3 series at 7 p.m. Monday at Washington Avenue Armory.
“Ain’t nothing easy,” Patroons head coach Derrick Rowland said. “It’s never easy as a coach. We played really well tonight. We got contributions from everyone and we’re peaking at the right time. That’s nine (wins) in a row for us, and we’re looking for the next one. Great job by my players tonight. Everyone was focused and we don’t take anyone lightly. So very happy for my guys.”
The Patroons led 11-0 with 7:55 left in the first quarter and 33-23 at the end of the period. The Rogues never got closer than double digits after that and trailed by as many as 27 points.
The bigger Patroons held a 66-41 rebounding advatnage and a 25-10 edge in second-chance points.
“We knew that they could not rebound with us and they didn’t have an inside presence,” Rowland said. “All their scoring comes from their guards on the outside.”
Albany put seven scorers in double figures, including all five starters, and had four players with double doubles.
Trevis Wyche scored 19 points, including four 3-pointers, Mustapha Traore had 18 points and 10 rebounds, James Currington added 15 points and 14 rebounds and Shadell Millinghaus had 13 points and 10 rebounds.
The Rogues (26-18), who entered the game leading the TBL in 3-pointers per contest, shot 12 of 35 (34.3 percent) from beyond the arc.
“They made a lot of them down the stretch when the game was out of reach,” Rowland said. “We stuck to the gameplan and executed on both ends.”
Armani Chaney led all scorers with 37 points despite having to be helped off the court in the first quarter before returning. Marquise Collins added 29 points.
Rowland said the Patroons will practice on Saturday in St. John’s and might check out the area.
“They’re known for their fish and their seafood,” Rowland said. “That’s my favorite, so I’ll probably eat seafood for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”