Game recap from the Mad Ants:
Mad Ants Fall to Knicks in Return Home
(February 25, 2016) – The Mad Ants, sponsored by Lutheran Health Network, fell to the Westchester Knicks, 98-86, on Thursday, February 25th at the Allen Co. War Memorial Coliseum.
The Mad Ants have spent the last week on the road as part of their west coast trip during their February schedule; Thursday night they returned to the Coliseum where they had previously left with a shorthanded win over the Grand Rapids Drive just a little over a week earlier. Fort Wayne jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter before Westchester began to push for control; the Mad Ants held on to post a tight one point lead at the end of the twelve minute period. The visiting Knicks were able to advance a lead late in the first half, but a three point shot at the buzzer from the hands of CJ Fair put the Mad Ants down just four going into the locker room. Fair led with seven first half points and Shayne Whittington (9 rebounds), Rakeem Christmas, John Lucas III and Walter Lemon Jr. each followed with 6 points.
Fort Wayne managed to stay close with the Knicks in the second half, holding their third quarter lead to single digits but also forced an early tie with Westchester; midway through the fourth quarter proved to be the turning point for the visitors as they reached leads of up to fourteen with just under four minutes remaining in regulation courtesy of 52.2% shooting the final quarter.
Lucas ended his night leading the Mad Ants with 21 points. Fair followed with 17 points and 9 rebounds and Lemon rounded out the offense for the Mad Ants with 13 points.
Leading to the Knicks was Jordan Bachynski with 25 points and 8 rebounds and Travic Trice II followed with 20 points and 10 assists.
Fort Wayne drops to 15-20 on the season, while Westchester advances to 20-16.
The Mad Ants will head to Canton (22-13) Friday, February 26th to take on the Charge in a 7:00 p.m. ET tip. 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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