Mad Ants Lose Season Opener 125-120 to Westchester
February 10, 2021 - NBA G League (G League)
Indiana Mad Ants News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. - The season tipped off for Fort Wayne and Westchester on Wednesday afternoon with the Knicks walking away with a 125-120 victory.
The Knicks rode hot shooting from three point range to continue to separate themselves throughout the contest, leading by as many as 14 points at one point. Westchester shot 40 percent from three point range, led by 4-of-5 shooting from Jared Harper. The Knicks hit 14 three pointers in the contest.
Fort Wayne took the early lead, but the score bounced back and forth through the first quarter with Westchester jumping ahead 16-14 on an Ignas Brazdeikis three point basket. The Knicks pushed their lead to 25-16 with three minutes to play in the first quarter.
The Knicks held their ground in the second quarter, keeping the lead near or at double digits as the Mad Ants looked for consistent footing. Brian Bowen II hit a three with 5:57 to play in the first half to draw the Mad Ants within eight before being fouled on a three point attempt two trips later and hitting a free throw to draw closer. Westchester pushed to get out on the break and extended their lead back to seven on a Brazdeikis layup. Westchester led 53-50 behind Harper's 16 points.
A Jalen Lecque basket with 8:53 to play in the third gave Fort Wayne their first lead since the first quarter, 61-60, extending it to three on their next trip on a Devin Robinson dunk. Brazdeikis again evened things up at 63 on a three point shot and a James Young triple gave Westchester a 66-65 lead about a minute later. Westchester pushed the momentum back in their favor late in the third quarter, extending their lead to 82-75 on a Harper fast break to cap a 6-0 run. The third ended tied at 88-88 after a Rayshaun Hammonds put back basket in the closing seconds.
Brazdeikis continued to be a pace setter for Westchester to kick off the fourth quarter and helped them pull out to an early lead. A Harper three pointer and-one with 8:12 left in the game pushed the Knicks lead back to six at 97-91. As Fort Wayne attempted to fight back in the fourth, Westchester continued to shoot the ball well from deep to hold Fort Wayne at bay.
Westchester outrebounded Fort Wayne 55-45.
Harper's 31 points and 10 assists paced Westchester, who also got 28 points from Brazdeikis. Fort Wayne was led by Bowen's 22 points and 1 1 rebounds while rookie Cassius Stanley scored 21.
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