Silverados hold off Butte

By Danny Garza

Special to The Monitor

McALLEN — The Rio Grande Valley Silverados made it clear Friday night that they were still playing to win even after receiving news they were out of postseason contention.

The Silverados (9-33) got off to a rocky start but due to clutch free throws down the stretch, they were able to secure an emotional win over the Butte Daredevils 120-118.

“This game means a lot to us,” Silverados coach Derrick Rowland said. “We are still out here to win. The players are playing for their futures. I’m trying to help myself and this organization at the same time. So we are still playing with a purpose.”

In the first half, the Daredevils (15-28) created transition opportunities as they dominated the defensive boards. Butte guard Jibril Hodges was an offensive machine in the first half as he shot 11-of-13 for 28 points to help guide his team to a 55-43 lead with 4:54 remaining in the half.

But Hodges’ offensive rhythm went out of sync in the beginning of the second half as the Silverados stormed back with an 11-3 run with 2:54 remaining in the third.

The Silverados played aggressive defense, creating key turnovers late in the game on their way to grabbing a slight lead with 1:03 remaining. With the game up in the air in the game’s closing minute, Silverados guard Kwan Johnson made three-of-four free throws in the final 15 seconds to help steer his team to victory.

“The guys from Butte were talking garbage there at the end,” Johnson said. “I just wanted to help my team win and not let them down.”