G League Maine Celtics

Red Claws Defeated by Pepperoni Balls

Published on March 9, 2018 under NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release


Erie, PA - The Maine Red Claws, presented by Unum, went into Erie and fell to the Erie Pepperoni Balls Friday night, 114-108.

Erie (25-19) renamed its team for the week from Bayhawks to Pepperoni Balls as part of a "What Could Have Been Night" promotion. The Pepps were led by Raphiael Putney with 27 points to lead all scorers. John Gillon added 23 points.

Maine (17-28) was led by a monster performance by Devin Williams, who finished with 20 points and 21 rebounds, his 18th double-double of the season. Drew Barham added 16 points off the bench for the Claws.

The Pepperoni Balls jumped out to an early 7-2 lead. Williams tipped in a pair of offensive rebounds to pace the Red Claws' offense early. Bennett drained a long three to make the deficit 11-7. Bennett continued hot shooting, scoring 8 early points for Maine, but Raphiael Putney's acrobatic steal and dunk gave the Balls a 21-13 lead. The Claws went on an 8-0 run, but Erie led 28-23 after one.

In the 2nd, the Red Claws scored 6 quick points to cut the lead to 1. Dixon knocked in a pair of jumpers to tie the game at 33. Putney continued his strong play, dropping in a three to put Erie up 4. Peak threw in a monster dunk, and Bennett's put-back lay-in made it a 2 point game again. Williams' tip-in gave the Red Claws a 43-41 lead. Bennett drew his second technical foul in the final minute of the half, getting ejected from the game. Putney buried a three at the buzzer to give Erie a 55-48 lead at the break. Williams had already recorded a double-double at halftime, 12 points and 11 boards at the break. Putney led all scorers with 17 points. Maine shot just 3-20 (15%) from downtown in the first half.

Jeremy Evans opened up the 3rd with back-to-back buckets to put the Pepperoni Balls up 8. Dixon knocked in a three, but John Gillon and the Pepps extended the lead to 76-64 on a long three. Gillon continued to get to the line and score at will, increasing the lead to 16. Jeremy Hollowell buried a long three, and Erie took a 92-77 lead after 3.

The Red Claws weren't done. Davis' reverse lay-up cut it to 11 points. Putney buried a three to stop the Claws' run. Putney's big slam off a steal made it 103-87 Erie. Barham carried the Maine offense in the 4th, cutting the deficit to 9. Dixon buried a three to cut it to 110-103. Off a steal, Lamond Murray hit a three to make it 110-106. The Claws could get no closer.

Maine shot 40% (40-101) from the floor, just 23% (10-44) from three-point range, and 18-22 from the free throw line. The Pepperoni Balls shot 49% (34-70) from the field, 35% (11-31) from downtown, and 35-40 from the charity stripe.

The Red Claws return to action Tuesday at Delaware. Maine returns home to face Wisconsin on Thursday, March 15. Tickets are on sale by calling 207-210-6655 or visiting MaineRedClaws.com.

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