Justin Brownlee knocked down two clutch baskets as Pelita Jaya Jakarta pulled off a victory over Prawira Harum Bandung in Game 1 of the Indonesian Basketball League semifinals on Thursday night at the C-Tra Prawira Arena in Indonesia.
Pelita Jaya was holding to a slim 77-76 lead after K.J. McDaniels’ seven straight points when Brownlee converted a perimeter basket to extend their advantage with 79-76 with over a minute left.
Prawira Harum cut the deficit to 78-79 on a dunk by Pandu Wiguna, but Brownlee responded with a three-pointer to increase Pelita Jaya’s lead to 82-78 with a minute remaining in the contest.
Wiguna pulled Prawira Harum to within 80-82 on another dunk with 38 seconds left, but Andakara Prastawa Dhyaksa sealed the win for Pelita Jaya with a turnaround shot with 17 seconds remaining in the game.
Brownlee finished with 22 points, including four three-point conversions, to go with five rebounds, four assists, and three steals as Pelita Jaya took a 1-0 lead in a best-of-three semis series.
“I definitely enjoy being in the atmosphere where the fans love basketball and they’re passionate about it, and with the team, it’s just been all great,” Brownlee said. “I just enjoy being around basketball, and I feel that from my team as well.”
McDaniels, who previously played for TNT Tropang Giga in the PBA, top-scored for Pelita Jaya with 24 points, while Jerome Anthony Beane Jr. ended with 18 points and three rebounds.
Yudha Saputera led the way for Prawira Harum with 20 points, Brandone Francis added 19 markers, and Antonio Hester contributed 15 markers in the defeat.
Game 2 of the semifinals series is on Saturday night (9 p.m. Manila time) at Pelita Jaya’s homecourt.
The post Justin Brownlee clutch as Pelita Jaya nears IBL Finals first appeared on Fastbreak.
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