Erie BayHawks Advance to Eastern Conference Semifinals
March 31, 2018 - NBA G League (G League)
Erie BayHawks News Release
Erie, PA - The Erie BayHawks, NBA G League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club, took down Lakeland Magic this afternoon, 96-90, inside Erie Insurance Arena. Erie now advances to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time in franchise history.
BayHawks General Manager Malik Rose was named the 2017-18 NBA G League Basketball Executive of the Year earlier today. NBA G League Head of Basketball Operations Brad Walker presented Rose with his award prior to tipoff.
The Magic built a five-point, 20-15, lead off of a Byron Mullens layup with 4:01 left in the opening quarter. At the 2:49 mark of the first, John Gillon knocked down a jump shot to tie the game at 20. Erie ended the quarter on an 11-2 run, building a 26-22 lead heading into the second quarter. The BayHawks opened the second on a 19-0 run. With 6:45 left in the first half, Erie held a 45-22 advantage. The BayHawks' 23-point lead was its largest lead of the game. Lakeland ended the first half on an 18-7 run. Heading into halftime, the BayHawks found themselves with a 12-point, 52-40, lead.
Lakeland began the second half on a 13-3 run, getting within two points of Erie, 55-53. The BayHawks regained their double-digit lead off of a Raphiael Putney triple, 65-53, with 5:12 left in the third quarter. After three quarters of play, Erie held 74-68 lead. Andrew White III knocked down back-to-back buckets to give the BayHawks an 81-71 advantage with 7:30 left to play in regulation. Lakeland tied the game off of a TJ Price three-pointer with 3:53 left in the fourth quarter, 83-83. Erie would eventually come away with a 96-90 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals victory.
John Gillon notched a team-high 20 points, to go along with three assists and two steals in 29.4 minutes of play. Atlanta Hawks two-way guard Josh Magette finished with 18 points, a game-high six assists, four rebounds and two steals in 37.6 minutes. Fellow Hawks two-way player Andrew White III contributed 15 points on 6-9 (.667) shooting from the field, including a 3-4 (.750) clip from deep, seven rebounds and one block in 20.3 minutes as a reserve. Jeremy Evans pulled down a game-best 10 rebounds, to go along with nine points and two steals in 31.5 minutes.
Troy Caupain poured in a game-high 26 points, in addition to seven rebounds and two assists in 42.2 minutes. Alan Anderson finished with 15 points, a team-high tying eight rebounds and two steals in 26.3 minutes. Byron Mullens registered 20 points on 8-13 (.615) shooting from the field, seven rebounds, a team-high five assists, one steal and one block in 35.5 minutes of action.
Erie will head to Fort Wayne to take on the Mad Ants in the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Tuesday. Tipoff for Tuesday's contest is set for at 7:00 p.m. and will be aired on ESPNU and the WatchESPN App.
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NBA G League Stories from March 31, 2018
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