Fort Wayne Mad Ants game recap:
Mad Ants excel in second overtime to pull out season’s second win
Lake Buena Vista, Florida (February 20, 2021) – It took not one, but two overtimes, but the Fort Wayne Mad Ants improved to 2-5 on the season, topping Iowa 98-93 on Saturday. Fort Wayne outscored the Wolves 7-2 in the second overtime to close out the win.
The Mad Ants were led by Oshae Brissett’s third straight double double as he had a game high 26 points to go with 11 rebounds and matching a career high with four made three pointers. It was Brissett’s fifth double double of the season; he had just four in his career coming into this season.
Fort Wayne outshot Iowa (0-7) 41.6 percent to 40.8 percent while the Wolves won the rebounding battle 63-48.
The Mad Ants jumped out to a quick lead, pushing ahead by as many as nine points in the first quarter as Brissett and Devin Robinson combined for 15 early points. Brissett’s dunk with 5:16 to play in the quarter increased the Fort Wayne lead to 15-6. Iowa pushed back and was able to pull within three at the first quarter break.
The second quarter saw the Wolves surge as Fort Wayne had their worst second frame of the season. Canyon Barry went 5-of-7 shooting in the quarter and Iowa shot 44.4 percent from the field while the Mad Ants missed five three pointers. Barry’s layup with 9:35 remaining in the first half gave Iowa their first lead. They pushed it out to 10 three minutes later on a Lindell Wiggington jump shot. The Wolves wouldn’t lose that lead until Naz Mitrou-Long’s lay in with 54.2 seconds left in the third quarter. Fort Wayne and Iowa went into the final quarter tied at 70.
The fourth quarter saw the teams exchange baskets with seven lead changes along the way. Brissett missed his shot in the closing seconds for the win and Brian Bowen II’s putback didn’t fall either. After a quick 2-2 first overtime, Iowa struck first in double overtime. Isaiah Briscoe broke free on the tipoff to rush in for a score six seconds in, but the Wolves would not score again. Fort Wayne’s defense held with Brissett taking a charge from Wiggington with 1:24 to play followed by Wiggington’s shot on the next possession being blocked by Amida Brimah. Mitrou-Long’s runner with 1:12 to play in the second overtime put Fort Wayne up for good.
Behind Brissett, Fort Wayne was aided by Robinson’s 17 points and nine rebounds, while Josh Gray scored 11 and had six assists. Brimah finished the game with five blocked shots.
Iowa was led by Briscoe’s 19 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Barry added 18 points while Tyler Cook had 16 points, 18 rebounds and five assists.
Fort Wayne returns to action on Sunday night for a 7:30 p.m. tip against Raptors 905. Iowa plays next on Monday with an 11 a.m. game against Oklahoma City.
Related Images:
