Steelheads Host Patroons Following First Loss of Season
April 20, 2007 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Gary Steelheads News Release
GARY, Indiana (April 20, 2007) - The Gary Steelheads learned Thursday night that life in the USBL will not be a cakewalk. The Kansas Cagerz delivered the message at the Genesis Center, 86-78. It was the first loss of the season for the Steelheads, following three earlier victories.
This game represented a reversal from the team's performance in their first three games, during which Gary averaged 112.7 ppg. The Steelheads could manage just 78 points against Kansas. Gary had shot .485 from the field over the first three games. They managed just .329 against the Cagerz' solid and physical defense. Over the first three games, the Steelheads had outrebounded their opponents by an average of 10 rpg. This time, they were outrebounded, 57-56.
The Steelheads broke out to an early lead, but Kansas took control in the second quarter when they held Gary to just 14 points. When the Cagerz continued their solid play in the third quarter, the Steelheads found themselves as many as 18 points down. Trailing by 13 at the end of the third quarter, Gary cut the deficit to 77-72 on Jermaine Blackburn jumper with 4:16 remaining. But Kansas regrouped and held off the Steelheads the rest of the way.
The Steelheads placed just three players in double figures, paced by Jermaine Blackburn with a season-high 24 points. Adam Schaper added 16 points with a game-high 13 rebounds, while Steve Lepore connected for 11 points. The Cagerz placed five men in double figures, lead by former Steelhead Larry House with 17 points. Anthony Richardson had 12 rebounds for the winners.
The Steelheads won't have much time to think about their first loss. They return to action Friday night against the Albany Patroons, a renewal of a rivalry that began in the CBA during the 2005-2006 season. Albany sports a 2-0 record on the USBL season, leading the league's Eastern Division. Gary still leads the Midwest Division with a 3-1 record.
The Albany game will air through the SportsJuice web site (www.sportsjuice.com), with Bill Hazen calling his seventh season of Steelheads' games. Airtime will be 6:50PM CDT. For ticket information, contact the Steelheads office at (219) 883-3000.
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