ONTARIO, Calif. — The Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario (26-22) put themselves in position to secure the final playoff spot after their 115-105 win over the Greensboro Swarm (23-25) on Tuesday night.
With the Salt Lake City Stars (26-23) loss earlier in the night, Agua Caliente moves into sole possession of the Western Conference’s sixth and final playoff spot with a chance to control their own destiny. The Clippers clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Salt Lake City loss on Friday.
The Clippers led for most of the game, by as much as 19 in the third quarter, but had to fend off a Swarm run in the second half. A 15-2 run brought Greensboro to within six points, cutting the score to 77-71 with 1:26 left in the third. The Clippers were able to bounce back, regaining a 19 point lead with 4:17 remaining in the final frame.
Johnathan Motley led the way for Clippers with a game-high 27 points and 13 rebounds for the double-double. Desi Rodriguez added 19 points and eight rebounds while Jerome Robinson contributed with an all-around performance of 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
Greensboro was led by two-way guard J.P. Macura’s 23 points, seven rebounds, and four assists and John Gillon’s 24 points and seven assists.