The Aces led by as much as 20, 64-44, in the third period and appeared to be on their way to cruising, but the Road Warriors never surrendered and even pulled to within 78-82 late in the fourth.
Overall, Alaska gave up 29 points in the fourth quarter, blowing a 16-point lead at the start of the final frame. It was an aspect of the game on which Compton wants the Aces to improve in their next games.
“We defended well until the fourth quarter. It felt like we gave a thousand points. It was a lot,” Compton said.
“After three quarters we gave up 52 points and then in one quarter we collapsed defensively. That is a big teaching point for us. We will look at the technique, rotation, a lot of boxing out.”
Compton added he would have played the fourth quarter differently, but he also wanted his players to develop more maturity on the floor when it comes to decision-making, something the team shall need in crucial games.
“I wasn’t really happy with our decisions in the fourth. I know I sometimes have a different philosophy. Some coaches are conventional; I could have called a timeout at times to stop the bleeding but I really wanted the guys to learn on the fly and grow (on certain situations),” he said.
“Defensively, in general, before the fourth quarter I thought we were solid. Again, I could have helped my guys by calling timeouts (but I want them to learn).”
At 6-1, Alaska are gunning now for one of the top two slots to earn them outright passage to the semi-finals, and Compton wants an even better Aces squad in the homestretch of the elimination round.
