The Wyoming Valley Clutch's journey in the American Basketball Association playoffs ended on Saturday night, as they lost 118-105 to the Binghamton Bulldogs in the East Region semifinals due to the Bulldogs' exceptional three-point shooting.
The Bulldogs collectively made 14 three-pointers, seizing control of the game in the late stages of the third quarter after a back-and-forth battle between the two playoff teams.
As the game progressed, every time the Clutch seemed to gather momentum, a Bulldog managed to score.
Clutch coach Jerry Rickrode acknowledged the team's defensive lapse against the Bulldogs' off-ball screen action, which led to open threes and contributed to their defeat.
Bulldogs forward Brandon Hathaway, known as the "big kid," utilized his size to dominate the game and successfully executed three-point shots when given the opportunity.
Hathaway scored 21 points, including seven three-pointers, four of which were crucial in a fourth-quarter surge that diminished any chances of a Clutch comeback. Jakigh Dottin led the Bulldogs with a game-high 30 points.
Despite having previously defeated Binghamton, the Clutch and Bulldogs displayed a closely contested match, with defense largely dictating the first half.
Wyoming Valley held a narrow lead after the first quarter and halftime, but the Bulldogs began the second half with a 6-0 run, shifting the momentum in their favor. Although both teams continued to exchange leads, the Bulldogs eventually solidified their advantage.
During the third quarter, the Bulldogs extended their one-point lead to seven and maintained control for the remainder of the game.
Hasiin Dixon played a significant role in Wyoming Valley’s early success, excelling in the midrange and contributing 17 of his 21 points in the first half.
Alongside Dixon, six Clutch players scored in double figures, with Will Johnson securing 16 points as the second-highest scorer behind Dixon.
This loss marked the end of the Clutch's winning streak, which spanned 10 games since January 14, concluding with a record of 16-3.
