(TABC Sports) The Heschel Heat were looking forward to Monday night’s game, their first home game in almost a month, and the chance to build on the momentum from last Thursday’s thrilling 56-52 victory at YDE. The TABC Storm, on the other hand, were limping into the game, not having played a league game since November, and with two starters—Shmuel Yablok and Natanel Benloulou—out with injuries.

Coach Oz inserted Netanel Eckman and Joseph Mann into the starting lineup, hoping that they could fill the void. The Heat took an early 8-2 lead but the Storm battled back and chipped away at the deficit. The second quarter saw the Storm, led by 10 of Joseph Mann’s game high 18 points, battle back and surpass the Heat. When the buzzer sounded ending the first half, the Storm had a comfortable 10 point advantage. The second half was a display of terrific defense on both sides, but the Storm held onto their lead and collected their fifth win of the season with a 50-39 victory.

The Storm find themselves alone at second place in the varsity Western Conference as they prepare to visit Flatbush, the second installment of their long road stint while their gym undergoes renovations due to damage sustained during Hurricane Ida.