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Mustangs Win Battle Of #1 Vs #2

January 16, 2009 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Southeast Texas Mavericks News Release


The #1 ranked Southeast Texas Mustangs (11-1) defeated the #2 rankedTexas Fuel (7-2) on Thursday night at home at the Ford Arena in Beaumont, TX 102-93.

It was truly an encounter of two outstanding teams. The Fuel jumped out quick on the Mustangs and took an early six point lead in the first quarter. But Mustangs point guard Tim Pledger got the Mustangs going with a 3 pointer and with the help of DeRon Rutledge on the inside the Mustangs put on a run of their own 14-2 to close out the first quarter. The Mustangs led after one period 26-21.

In the second quarter the Mustangs bench took over the game with Jerry Williams, Antonio Lawrence, and Lamar Sanders leading the way. The Mustangs went up by 17 points midway through the 2nd quarter and looked like they may blow the game open, but Fuel point guard Leonard Brown was not having any of that as he led a 7-0 run the end the first half with Brown scoring all 7 points for the Fuel. Southeast Texas went into the locker-room at halftime with a 13 point lead at 55-42.

In the third quarter Southeast Texas pulled away again and led by as many as 20 points with 6:30 to play in the 3rd period. Brian Burrell, Pledger, Lawrence, and Anthony Lumpkin controlled the game, but the Fuel would not go away once again going on a 14-4run to end the quarter and cut the Mustangs lead to 8 points heading into the final period of play.

In the fourth quarter the #1 and #2 ranked teams in the ABA just went at each other as the Texas Fuel would make runs at the SETX Mustangs and the Mustangs would respond with key baskets. With only a 4 point lead with 4:20 to play Mustangs go to guy DeRon Rutledge came up with a huge 3 point play as he pulled down a big offensive rebound, scored, and was fouled. Rutledge completed the 3 point play. After that sequence the Mustangs got a big stop and Lawrence nailed a 3 pointer from the perimeter to help the Mustangs gain control of the game down the stretch and pull away. Big free-throws from Pledger sealed the victory for Southeast Texas, who has now won 10 straight games.

The Mustangs were led in scoring by Pledger's 24 points. Rutledge scored 16 points. Lawrence followed up with 15 points. Brown led the Fuel with 25 points in an outstanding all-around performance for the Fuel. Keith Simoson scored 14 points. Isaiah Allen and Albert Strickland chipped in 13 points a piece, and Jamar Chatman followed up with 12 points.

The two top ranked teams in the ABA will go at it again on Sunday night in San Antonio, TX. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

For further information on tickets or on the SETX MUSTANGS call #409/951-5500 or go online to www.setxmustangs.com or www.abalive.com. MINI-TICKETS PACKAGES for 3 and 5 games are available to purchase NOW!

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.



American Basketball Association Stories from January 16, 2009


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.

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