Steelheads Lose 2nd Overtime Game in Two Days, 128-122 at Sioux Falls
February 22, 2006 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
Gary Steelheads News Release
The Gary Steelheads, playing their second overtime game in two days, fell to the Sioux Falls Skyforce, 128-122. It was the second straight overtime loss for Gary, which had been undefeated in overtime games prior to the current road trip.
The game started slowly for the Steelheads, who surrendered the first two quarters against the defending CBA champions and trailed 58-51 at the half. Gary could manage just one free throw attempt in the first 24 minutes of the game. The Steelheads bounced back for a 29-26 third quarter win, trailing 84-80 going into the final quarter. Gary then fought to a 111-111 tie, with guard Jimmie "Snap" Hunter hitting two foul shots with one second left to force the overtime.
The Skyforce then scored 9 of the first 13 points in the extra session to build a lead that they would never relinquish. Gary pulled within two points at 120-118 when "Snap" Hunter scored a basket, was fouled, and converted the free throw at 1:39. But forward Chris Owens would answer with a three-point play of his own at 1:04, securing the lead for the Skyforce.
It was an incredible shooting performance for the winners, who connected on .605 percent from the field. Gary, despite winning the boards by 8 and getting 16 more shots than the Skyforce, could shoot no better than .430 for the game. The Skyforce finished with three more field goals than the Steelheads on the evening, the margin of victory.
On the heels of a 44-point performance against the Rockford Lightning last night, "Snap" Hunter hit for 43-points against Sioux Falls to pace the Steelheads attack. For the seventh time in eight games, Hunter hit all of his free throw attempts with 7 charity tosses. Forward Carl Mitchell added a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, while forward Renaldo Major played perhaps his best game since rejoining the Steelheads with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Forward Noel Felix turned in a brilliant performance for the winners, scoring 39 points with 8 rebounds. He hit all 11 of his foul shots, as well as 14-of-20 from the field. Guard Corey Williams added 23 points with 19 assists, while forward Chris Owens added 22 points and 10 rebounds for the winners.
With their second loss on the current road trip, the Steelheads fall to 25-17 on the season. They picked up two quarter points with the defeat, narrowly retaining first place in the CBA's Eastern Conference with a quarter point average of 4.08. The Rockford Lightning are in second place with a quarter point average of 4.02.
After a travel day, the Steelheads will meet the Yakama Sun Kings at the Yakima Valley Sun Dome on Friday night. The game will match the CBA's Eastern and Western Conference leaders.
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Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from February 22, 2006
- Steelheads Lose 2nd Overtime Game in Two Days, 128-122 at Sioux Falls - Gary Steelheads
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- 'Force Facts - Sioux Falls Skyforce
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