Game recap from the Mad Ants:
Mad Ants Fall at Home Behind Strong Performance from Lemon Jr.
(March 12, 2016) – The Mad Ants, sponsored by Lutheran Health Network, fell to the Sioux Falls Skyforce 128-111 at Allen Co. War Memorial Coliseum behind Walter Lemon Jr’s 24 point performance.
In the final game of the weekend doubleheader, the Mad Ants were up against the Skyforce, who heading into the night, possessed the league’s best record at 32-8. The Mad Ants needed a quick start against their visitors, which Xavier Thames instigated from the tip of the ball in the first minutes of the game. Thames, who is adapting to his present role as a starter, set the pace early, finishing the first quarter with eleven points as the Mad Ants trailed Sioux Falls 35-33 after the first twelve minutes. The Skyforce remained dominant in the second quarter, taking a strong nine point lead over the Mad Ants at the four minute mark, but the Mad Ants made the end of the first half a tight contest, pushing back to take a one point lead as time ticked under a minute. As both teams headed into their locker rooms, Mad Ants trailed Skyforce 62-59. Through a strong second quarter, Terran Petteway finished the first half with 17 points, while Thames followed with 13 points.
Throughout the duration of the third quarter, the Skyforce took control of the pace of the game, taking a dominant twenty point advantage behind 58.8% shooting. Fort Wayne began making a push at the lead behind Petteway’s 20 points and Thames 19, but fell short heading into the fourth down 100-83. Ten points seem to make all the difference for the Mad Ants early in the final quarter, as they spent the first half fighting to make a dent in the Skyforce lead. While they came within six around the five minute mark, the attempt at the comeback would not be enough as the Ants would fall 128-111. Lemon led scoring for the Mad Ants with 24 points. Petteway finished his night with 20 and Thames followed with 19.
Leading the way for the Skyforce, Rodney McGruder finished with 24 points and Jarnell Stokes followed with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Fort Wayne falls to 18-24 on the season, while Sioux Falls moves to 33-8.
Heading into the midway point of March, the Mad Ants travel to play the Raptors 905 on Monday, March 14th at 12:00 p.m. ET and conclude the week at Delaware for a matchup against the 87ers on Friday, March 18th at 7:00 p.m. ET. Fans can purchase Mad Ants tickets anytime, which start at just $6, at the Memorial Coliseum Box Office, by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
About the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and the NBA Development League
The Fort Wayne Mad Ants, presented by Lutheran Health Network, are the NBA Development affiliate of the NBA Indiana Pacers. Established in 2007, the Mad Ants have marked their success in back-to-back Championship appearances, coming out on top in 2014 and returning to the Championship series in 2015. The 2014-2015 season also named the Mad Ants as the NBA Development League Development Champions, which recognizes the team that best embodies the NBA D-League’s goals of developing NBA-caliber basketball talent through call-ups and assignments. The NBA Development League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 19 teams with direct affiliations with NBA franchises for the 2015-16 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. An all-time high 38 percent of all NBA players at the end of the 2014-15 season boasted NBA D-League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. Fans can watch all NBA D-League games on fortwayne.gleague.nba.com.
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