Red Claws Season Opening Comeback Falls Just Short
November 12, 2015 - NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
White Plains, NY - Corey Walden missed a game-tying lay-in at the buzzer, and the Maine Red Claws, presented by Unum, couldn't pull off another miraculous comeback, dropping their season opener to the Westchester Knicks, 105-103.
James Young, on assignment from the Boston Celtics, led all scorers with 30 points. Jordan Mickey, also on assignment from the Celts, added 20 points and 14 rebounds. Walden added 19 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists. Omari Johnson added 14 points and 10 boards.
Former Red Claw DaJuan Summers led Westchester with 28 points, including the game-winning field goal in the final seconds.
The Red Claws got off to a slow start, shooting just 21% in the first quarter. Westchester took a 26-18 after the first period, with Summers leading the charge.
In the 2nd quarter, Maine rallied. The Red Claws took their first lead of the game at 32-30, thanks to a 12 point quarter by James Young. Westchester led at the half, 54-52, after Maine out-scored the Knicks 34-28 in the quarter.
The Knicks took charge in the 3rd, out-scoring Maine 30-20.
Much like last season, the Red Claws had a furious 4th quarter rally in them. Maine erased a 14 point deficit to tie the game with less than a minute to go. Corey Walden's running lay-up knotted the game at 101. Walden again tied the game at 103-103 with :30 to go.
After a Mickey miss, Summers drained a fadeaway jumper to put the Knicks up 105-103. Maine forced a steal and had a chance to send it to overtime, but his lay-in fell just short.
The win is Westchester's first ever against Maine.
The Red Claws finished shooting 39.1% from the floor, but just 22.2% (7-33) from downtown.
Maine heads to Canton this Saturday for a showdown with the Charge. The Red Claws' home opener is eight days from today, Friday, Nov. 20 vs. Raptors 905. Tickets are on sale now by calling 207-210-6655 or visiting MaineRedClaws.com.
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