ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Host Sun Kings In Game 2 of CBA Finals

March 25, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


GARY, Indiana - On Sunday the Gary Steelheads add another "first" to the many others they have achieved this season, hosting a CBA Finals game at the Genesis Center for the first time in franchise history. With a one-game lead over the Yakama Sun Kings in the best-of-three series, the Steelheads hold the advantage and would claim the league title with a victory.

Gary won the opening game of the CBA Finals on Thursday night, defeating the Sun Kings 119-103 at the Yakima Valley Sun Dome in Yakima, Washington. The Steelheads' victory was fueled by a barrage of precision shooting, combined with excellent defense. Gary held the lead almost from start to finish.

The Steelheads took the crowd out of the game with an incredible shooting performance, hitting 48-of-82 (.585) from the field and a red-hot 14-of-21 (.667) from three point range. Gary outscored Yakama 42-9 from beyond the arc, with three Steelheads players hitting every three pointer they attempted.

As for the defensive component of the win, the Steelheads held the Sun Kings to just .442 shooting from the field (42-of-95). Yakama's Antwaine Barbour, who came into the game as the CBA's third-leading playoff scorer (25.3 ppg.) did not score a field goal until 4:45 remaining in the game. He didn't even get a shot attempt until the fourth quarter, finishing with just 8 points for the evening.

The Steelheads were paced by guard Eric Chatfield, who poured in a CBA career-high 26 points. He hit 11-of-13 field goal attempts, including 3-for-3 from three point range. He also handed out 8 assists and grabbed four rebounds. Guard Brian Chase added a double-double performance of 21 points and 11 assists. He also went 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Forward Carl Mitchell added 21 points with 7 rebounds, while forward Randy Holcomb tossed in 19 points with 8 rebounds.

Forward Marlowe Currie chipped in 15 points, while Robert Griffin added 11. Currie hit all 3 of his three pointers, while Griffin went 3-for-4 from three point range. Center Chris Alexander paced all Steelheads' rebounders with 14. For the evening, the Steelheads placed six players in double figures.

The Sun Kings could not match the Steelheads' balanced scoring, but center Anthony "Pig" Miller turned in an exceptional effort in a losing cause. He grabbed 22 rebounds, while scoring 15 points. Forward Leonard White paced the Sun Kings attack with 19 points, and forward Rosell Ellis added 16.

The Steelheads' victory at Yakama is the first road victory for any team participating in this year's CBA Playoffs. Gary has now beaten Yakama three straight times, including twice in the playoffs.

Tickets for Game 2 of the CBA Finals are available through Ticketmaster, the Genesis Center Box Office or by calling the team office at 219-882-4CBA(4222). Ticket prices remain at regular season rates.

Sunday's game will be airing in Northwest Indiana over WJOB in Hammond (1230khz) and WIMS in Michigan City (1420khz). The broadcast can also be heard over the Internet at SportsJuice (www.sportsjuice.com), beginning at 3:00PM CST. KUTI in Yakama (1460khz) will also originate a broadcast of the game, which can also be heard over the Internet at www.sunkings.com.

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