Game recap from the Mad Ants:
Mad Ants Fall at Home Behind Strong Performance from Frazier
(March 20, 2016) – The Mad Ants, sponsored by Lutheran Health Network, fell to the Grand Rapids Drive 102-97 at Allen Co. War Memorial Coliseum behind Michael Frazier’s 21 point performance.
With just five games remaining in the regular season, the Mad Ants were facing their final game against the Grand Rapids Drive on the season, leading the series 4-1 heading into action Sunday. The Mad Ants spent a majority of the opening quarter leading the visiting Drive, before they pushed play to take the lead after one 28-26. Not wasting any time kicking off the second quarter, the Mad Ants regained their lead by as much as nine behind the 13 point midway performance of Walter Lemon Jr. Heading into the half, Mad Ants held the 58-52 advantage. Frazier and Whittington followed behind Lemon, each recording 11 points of their own.
Dominant offensive play from Frazier allowed the Mad Ants to hold an advantage the entire twelve minutes of the third quarter, but Grand Rapids slowly hacked into Fort Wayne’s lead around the three minute mark of regulation. A tie with just under two minutes left to play and a dunk from Ismael Romero amped up the momentum of the Drive, steering them toward the 102-97 victory. Frazier led his team with 21 points, while CJ Fair followed with 16 of his own. Xavier Thames more than doubled his third quarter total, ending his night with 15 points.
Leading the way for the Drive, Kelsey Barlow led all scorers with a 24 point/8 rebound performance. Dahntay Jones followed with 22 points and 8 rebounds of his own.
Fort Wayne falls to 18-27 on the season, while Grand Rapids moves to 21-24.
The Mad Ants will remain at home to host the Sioux Falls Skyforce on Tuesday, March 22nd with tipoff scheduled for 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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