by RENALDO DORSETT
Under the bright lights of a nationally televised audience, the Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins dominated the rebounding and turnover battles en route to evening their best of three series.
The Mystic Marlins took a 62-59 win over the CI Gibson Rattlers Monday night at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.
Game three is set for tonight at 8pm.
Game Atilus continued his impressive play with his second consecutive double double in the series, 20 points and 13 rebounds.
Brendon Stubbs also turned in a double double with 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Kyle Turnquest scored 15.
Shakwon Lewis led the Rattlers with a game high 23 points, but no other CI Gibson player reached double figures.
Johnley Noel finished with eight points and a team high 10 rebounds, Michael Sweeting added eight points and eight rebounds, Wilner Serphin scored nine and Ira Farrington finished with seven points, nine rebounds and four blocks.
Neither team led by more than three points throughout out the game until Doris Johnson entered the fourth quarter with a five point advantage.
They opened the quarter on an 11-6 run to take their first double digit lead of the game when Atilus converted a three point play to make the score 51-41 with 5:11 left to play.
The Rattlers fought their way back into the game and trimmed the deficit to one when Lewis drove the lane and dished it to Farrington for a dunk in traffic.
The Mystic Marlins forced turnovers on back to back possessions for the Rattlers and made free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
CI Gibson had one final chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but Atlilus blocked a Noel three point attempt from the top of the key.
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