Steelheads Fall to Kansas Cagerz in Playoff Finale, 121-98
Published on June 30, 2007 under United States Basketball League (USBL)
Gary Steelheads News Release
GARY, Indiana (June 30, 2007) - The Gary Steelheads concluded their USBL season with a second straight defeat to the Kansas Cagerz, 121-98. Kansas advanced to the USBL Festival Tournament Finals, to be played at the Mark Price Arena in Enid, Oklahoma Sunday afternoon.
Since professional basketball is a game of matchups, the Steelheads carried a unique burden into the USBL Tournament. When the Albany Patroons bowed out of the Festival, Gary and Kansas were left alone in their tournament pool. This meant that the Steelheads would have to face Kansas twice as their only opponent in the pool. During the regular season, Gary struggled with the Cagerz more than any other team. Kansas won four of the five regular-season meetings.
In comparison to the first meeting last night, the Steelheads fought to a 13-13 tie with 3:26 remaining in the first quarter. But Gary would not score again, as the Cagerz broke away for a 27-13 lead at the end of the first quarter. Kansas increased the lead to 58-39 by halftime. Gary shot just .410 for the half and was outrebounded 27-21.
The Steelheads were unable to cut into the lead significantly during the third quarter, with Gary trailing 86-66 at the quarter's end. From there, the cagey Cagerz cruised to the victory.
Kansas held the Steelheads to .402 field goal shooting, while connecting at .482 themselves. Gary hit on just 1-of-12 three point attempts, with guard Lonnie Randolph connecting on one of his four attempts. The Steelheads committed 22 turnovers and were outrebounded 54-42.
For the first time in his Steelheads' career, Randolph paced Gary in scoring with 18 points. He also grabbed five rebounds and two steals. Forward Corey Minnifield scored 15 points and guard Keith Salscheider added 14 in a losing cause. Kansas was paced by Anthony Johnson, who scored 22 points.
United States Basketball League Stories from June 30, 2007
- Steelheads Fall to Kansas Cagerz in Playoff Finale, 121-98 - Gary Steelheads
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