Red Claws Lose Late Lead in Erie
December 27, 2016 - NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
Erie, PA - December 27, 2016 - The Maine Red Claws, presented by Unum, had their chances but could not pull out the win Tuesday night, falling in Erie, 101-98.
Jalen Jones led the Red Claws with 27 points and 8 rebounds, while Abdel Nader added 16 points and 9 boards in just 23 minutes due to foul trouble. Demetrius Jackson, on assignment from the Boston Celtics, contributed 15 points and 8 assists, while Marcus Georges-Hunt added 14 points, Arthur Edwards a double-double off the bench with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Coron Williams added 10 points for Maine. Erie was led by Cliff Alexander with 19 points, while Kalin Lucas added 18 points and 12 assists, and Anthony Brown scored 18 points in the win.
The Bayhawks (5-11) started red hot - surging out to an early 11-0 lead. Out of an early timeout, Williams got the scoring going with a corner three, and Maine (10-7) responded with a 15-0 run of its own to take a 15-11 lead. Jackson dropped in back-to-back-to-back buckets to cap the 15 point run. Williams led Maine with eight points in the period, but the Red Claws trailed 24-22 after one.
The Bayhawks started the 2nd quarter on a roll again, thanks in large part to Maine's turnovers. Erie extended to a 41-31 lead before Edwards stopped the run with a long baseline jumper. Nader got into serious foul trouble, picking up his 4th personal foul, and headed to the bench for the rest of the half. Jalen Jones picked up the pace on offense, scoring 11 points in the 2nd quarter alone. Despite shooting just 37% (17-46) from the floor, including 5-17 (29%) from downtown, Maine and Erie went into the locker rooms tied at 45 at the break.
The second half started with back-and-forth action. Nader returned to the floor and led the Claws' scoring in the 3rd. Anthony Brown led the charge for the Bayhawks, as Maine took a 65-64 lead. Cliff Alexander would change that, draining a long jumper with 3:00 to go. Kalin Lucas got a floater to bounce in late in the quarter, but Jackson's rainbow would even the score, and the game remained tied, 72-72, after three.
In the 4th quarter, Maine opened up a lead - Edwards dropped a three to make it 81-77 Red Claws - but back-to-back buckets by T.J. Price evened the game at 81. Brown buried a deep three-ball to put Erie up four with 6:00 to go, but Jones dropped in five straight points, giving Maine a 94-92 lead with 3:29 left. Again, Brown would come back to give Erie the lead. Jackson gave the Red Claws the lead with a tough bucket and the foul with :29 to go, putting Maine up 98-97. Lucas' driving lay-up with :09 to go gave Erie a 99-98 lead. Jones had a chance to win the game, but his shot fell short, and Nader's three at the buzzer hit the front iron.
The Red Claws shot 40% (38-94) from the floor, including 30% (11-37) from downtown, and 11-15 from the free throw line. Erie shot 49% (40-82) from the field, 37% (7-19) from beyond the arc, and 14-21 from the charity stripe.
The Red Claws next play Thursday at Raptors 905 before returning home Saturday for a New Year's Eve matinee against Windy City. Limited tickets are available for Saturday's 1 p.m. tilt - call 207-210-6655 or visit MaineRedClaws.com for tickets.
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