Erie Survives Scare from Sioux Falls
Published on March 31, 2011 under NBA G League (G League)
Erie BayHawks News Release
Erie, Pennsylvania, Thursday, March 31, 2011 - The Erie BayHawks, coming off one of their best performances of the season in defeating the league-leading Iowa Energy on Sunday, survived a fierce effort from the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the team with the league's worst record, on Thursday night at Tullio Arena to notch a 98-96 win.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first half as the BayHawks shot just 43% and Sioux Falls 37% from the field. Erie managed to build a ten-point lead midway through the second quarter but the Skyforce mounted a 15-4 run in the final six minutes of the half to take a one point lead at halftime, 44-43.
Ivan Johnson scored 16 of his game-high 33 points in the third quarter as Erie again built a seven point lead, only to surrender a 9-2 run by the Skyforce to leave the teams tied at 67 entering the final frame.
It was déjàvu again in the fourth as Erie manufactured an eight point lead with three minutes to play, only to see Sioux Falls pull within two points with twenty-seconds to play. But Sioux Falls was forced to foul Blake Ahearn, the league's best free throw shooter, who buried 5-of-6 foul shots in the game's final 15 seconds to seal the victory for the home team, and improve to 31-18.
Johnson added a game-high 18 rebounds and Nate Linhart joined him with a double-double as he scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Tasmin Mitchell added 23 for Erie and Erik Daniels dropped in 10.
Sioux Falls (10-38) was lead by Raymond Sykes who had 32 points and 11 rebounds, Dominique Coleman added 12 points and 12 rebounds, Sean Marshall netted 20, and Chris McCray chipped in 13.
Erie remains in fifth overall and plays their final game of the regular season on Saturday night versus the Maine Red Claws at Tullio Arena. Tip-off is set for 7pm.
NBA G League Stories from March 31, 2011
- Toros Run Past Legends - Austin Spurs
- Legends Fall in Austin with a Chance to Clinch Playoff Berth - Texas Legends
- Erie Survives Scare from Sioux Falls - Erie BayHawks
- Red Claws Close out Home Schedule with 105-100 Win, 48th Straight Sellout - Maine Celtics
- Maine's Mario West Signs with New Jersey - G League
- Austin Toros Add Slam Dunk Contest to All-Star Games - Austin Spurs
- NBA D-League Daily Developments - G League
- 66ers Close out Regular Season with Weekend Back-To-Back - Tulsa 66ers
- Jam Outshine Flash - Bakersfield Jam
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
