Gary Game Notes for May 23
May 23, 2007 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Gary Steelheads News Release
Gary Steelheads @ Kansas Cagerz
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007
The Bicentennial Center, Salina, Kansas
Gary Steelheads Game #16 / USBL Game # 79
Steelheads Fall at Kansas, 106-100
GARY, Indiana (May 22, 2007) - The Gary Steelheads' three-game winning streak came to an end in Salina, Kansas Tuesday night as Gary fell to the Kansas Cagerz, 106-100. With the loss, Gary reached the mid-season mark with a 10-5 record.
Fueled by .579 shooting, the Steelheads ran out to a 25-22 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Steelheads increased the lead to 35-26, when Jermaine Blackburn hit a jumper at 9:15 of the second quarter. After that, things cooled down and the Cagerz' used their high pick-and-roll attack to close the gap to 51-49. Only a last-second shot by Corey Minnifield kept Gary in front at half.
The Cagerz grabbed the lead in the third quarter, hitting seven of their first eight shots. But Gary got two three pointers from Eddy Barlow late in the quarter to regain an 85-80 lead going into the fourth quarter. When the Cagerz didn't score for the first 2:54 of the final quarter, Gary built the lead up to eight points at 88-80.
However, Anthony Richardson brought the Cagerz back, connecting on a three-pointer at 6:03 to tie the game at 93 apiece. Kansas continued on a 20-5 run to reach the century mark at 100-93. Gary then scored the next seven points, with a three ball from Jamario Moon tying the game at 100. But Jason Miller hit a field goal for the Cagerz, with two free throws from Nate Johnson making the score 104-100.
After a time out with 17 seconds left, the Steelheads' Steve Lepore got a good look on a three pointer but missed. The Cagerz' Jason Miller was fouled, hitting both free throws to seal the victory.
The Steelheads played again without the services of center Chris Alexander, who was invited to NBA tryouts with both the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks. Without the big 7-1 center, the Steelheads struggled on the boards against the physical Cagerz. Kansas won the boards decisively, 53-38. The Cagerz had 20 offensive rebounds in their victory. Gary reduced the possession deficit by limiting its turnovers to just 10, compared to the Cagerz' 18.
The Steelheads were paced by 30 points from guard Carl Edwards, but he scored just two points in the fourth quarter. Guard Eddy Barlow scored 16 points, and forward Corey Minnifield added 15 in a losing cause. Anthony Richardson paced the winners with 23 points, while Nate Johnson added 22.
The two teams will meet again at the Bicentennial Center in Salina, Kansas tomorrow night.
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