February 12, 2015

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Despite an early 15-2 lead in their home arena, wresting sole possession of first place away from the visiting Champaign Swarm proved anything but easy for the Bloomington Flex, as the Swarm clawed back to within two points with less than a minute to play in the game. 

                    But the Flex held on for a 96-91 win Thursday at U. S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington to up their record to a Midwest Professional Basketball Association-best 7-1, dropping the Swarm to 6-2 and second place in the league.

                    The Flex bolted out of the gate, as back-to-back buckets by Justin Bocot and Fabyon Harris got the early lead to 13, but Champaign made the first of many runs to draw to within four at the end of the first quarter, 22-18.

                    Bloomington appeared to be pulling away, opening up a 48-35 lead at the half and a 70-50 lead late in the third.  The Swarm, however, went on an 11-3 run to end the period to trail by nine, 73-61, heading into the fourth.

                    Champaign held the lead to single digits throughout the fourth quarter, getting to within three on a three-point play by Avery Smith that made the score 89-86 with 1:40 to play.  The Flex stretched it back to seven, but a steal and layup by Smith with :43 left again narrowed the gap to three.  A free throw on the next possession by Champaign drew the visitors to within two at 93-91, but they were unable to foul Justin Bocot after the Flex made a free throw, as Bocot broke away for a layup to seal the win.

                    Bocot scored 35 points to lead all scorers, while Fabyon Harris added 22.  Matt Salley led the Flex with ten rebounds.  Avery Smith scored 30 he Swarm, as Arnold Louis tallied 21 and Aaron Weaver chipped in 19.  Robert Broughton had ten rebounds for the Swarm.

                The Flex are off until next Thursday when they travel to St. Louis to take on the Gateway Steam.  The Swarm play the Steam on Sunday in Champaign.