Skyforce Beat Wizards, Move to CBA Finals- March 24

[MLFA]

Skyforce Beat Wizards, Move to CBA Finals- March 24
http://www.ksfy.com/
(Bismarck, ND) The Sioux Falls Skyforce won at Dakota 102-97 on Thursday night to clinch the Western Conference Finals and move to their first CBA Finals since the 1998-99 season. The Force won the series 3-2 and will host Rockford in Game 1 of the championship series on Monday. David Bailey led the way for Sioux Falls with 22 points against the Wizards.

[MLFA]

Skyforce edges Wizards, earns first shot at CBA title since '99From Staff Reports
Argus Leader
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050325/SPORTS/503250343/1002
published: 03/25/05

CBA FINALS
Rockford vs. Sioux Falls - (Best-of-5)

Monday - Rockford at Sioux Falls, 7:05 p.m.

Tuesday - Rockford at Sioux Falls, 7:05 p.m.

March 31 - Sioux Falls at Rockford, 7:05 p.m.

April 2 - Sioux Falls at Rockford, 7:05 p.m.

April 5 - Rockford at Sioux Falls, 7:05 p.m.

BISMARCK, N.D. - The Skyforce used a sizzling third-quarter surge to seal a 102-97 win over the Dakota Wizards in Thursday's decisive Game 5 of the Western Conference finals before 4,034 at the Bismarck Civic Center.

David Bailey scored a team-high 22 points in the victory, which sends Sioux Falls to the CBA Finals for the first time in six years.

The Skyforce, coached by former Dakota coach Dave Joerger, trailed 52-48 at halftime but outscored the Wizards 31-20 in the third quarter to build a lead that it protected down the stretch.

Bailey, a 5-foot-9 Loyola-Chicago alum who led Idaho to the finals as a rookie in 2004, hit 10 of 21 shots to lead the Skyforce. DeSean Hadley added 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Corsley Edwards had 19 points and 15 boards.

Sioux Falls won the game despite shooting just 2-for-17 on 3-pointers for the night.

It was a bitter loss for the Wizards, the top playoff seed which had captured CBA titles in 2002 and '04 under Joerger. The team lost only seven home games all year - and four came at the hands of the Sioux Falls.

The Skyforce will host Rockford in Games 1 and 2 of the best-of-five CBA Finals on Monday and Tuesday at the Arena.

Sioux Falls captured its only CBA championship in 1996 and made trips to the finals in 1998 and '99. In its last finals appearance, the Force fell in five games to the Connecticut Pride.

Rockford earned its spot by beating Great Lakes 105-104 in Tuesday's Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Now that the Skyforce is up by one game, I will pick them to win it all in four.
Besides, they are due. I'm due too. Missed my last two CBA predictions. :shock:

[MLFA]

04/02/2005
Skyforce Captures Second CBA Championship!
http://www.keloland.com/ClassLibrary/Page/Images/Data/9992.jpg
The Sioux Falls Skyforce captured its second CBA championship, and first since 1996, Saturday night in Rockford, Illinois, striking down the Lightning 135-126.

David Jackson, who scored a modest three points in the opening half, resembled a man possessed over the final 24 minutes of play. Jackson scored an improbable 32 points, including eight three-pointer, en route to 35 total points.

Skyforce Forward Corsley Edwards contributed 29 points and16 rebounds, while Jerome Beasley scored 24 points and snagged ten boards in the win.

David Bailey just missed a triple-double with 26 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds.

Jermaine Walker led the Lightning with 30 points and Stais Boseman added 29.

The Skyforce will host a championship celebration Sunday evening at the Sioux Falls Arena at approximately 6:00. The event will take place after the Harlem Globetrotters' game, which is slated to begin at 3:00.

Travis Fossing
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