May 3rd Marion SC - After a slow start, the Carolina Thunder caught fire over the final three quarters to defeat the Carolina Crusaders 101-92 Sunday afternoon at AC Tollison Gymnasium in an important ECBL matchup.

The Crusaders controlled the opening quarter and led 20-12 after the first period, but Carolina Thunder responded with a huge second quarter and never looked back. Thunder outscored the Crusaders 28-19 in the second quarter to tie the game by halftime before continuing their momentum in the second half with 61 combined points over the final two quarters.

Patrell Rogers led the Thunder with a dominant 33-point performance while shooting 12-of-24 from the field and adding five assists. Demetrius Knox added 25 points and continued to attack the basket throughout the afternoon, while Keyon Hilton contributed 16 points and D.J. Mason posted a strong all-around game with 13 points and 17 rebounds.

Daniel Quarles controlled the paint defensively with six blocked shots to go along with 14 rebounds as Carolina Thunder imposed their physicality inside during the second half.

The Crusaders were paced by T.J. Brown, who finished with 20 points, while Asanti Price added 19 points and Eric Eaves chipped in 16. D’Monte Evans also scored 15 points in the loss.

Both teams battled throughout the game physically on the glass, but the Thunder’s ability to capitalize at the free throw line and generate second-half stops helped create separation late in the contest.

The Carolina Thunder improve to 5-4 on the season with the victory, while the Carolina Crusaders fall to 5-5 as both teams continue battling for positioning in the tightly contested ECBL playoff race.