Steelheads Suffer Narrow Loss at Oklahoma, 87-85; Teams Rematch Wednesday

June 12, 2007 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Gary Steelheads News Release


GARY, Indiana (June 12, 2007) - The Gary Steelheads had the last shot for the win, but it didn't fall and Gary suffered a narrow 87-85 loss to the Oklahoma Storm at the Mark Price Arena in Enid, Oklahoma. The loss was Gary's third on their current five-game road trip.

The Steelheads set up a very good look on the final shot, as Gary got the ball into the hands of guard Keith Salscheider for an unobstructed three point shot. But the 6-foot-5 shooter failed to connect with :03 remaining, and Oklahoma grabbed the rebound to preserve the victory.

The Storm struck quickly in the first quarter, with center Mario Woodson hitting a short jumper for 11-4 Oklahoma lead. The Steelheads suffered through five turnovers, trailing 21-18 through one quarter. Oklahoma increased the lead to 46-40 at half, with the Storm hitting all ten of their charity tosses. The Steelheads connected on 8-of-9. Forwards Jamario Moon and Corey Minnifield tied for Gary scoring honors with 10 each, while guard Carl Edwards chipped in nine points.

Gary pulled closer late in the third quarter, closing the gap at the quarter's end to 64-62. Moon paced the Steelheads with a 10-point quarter.

The Steelheads pulled even at 69, with just over nine minutes remaining in regulation. Gary took the lead when Oklahoma coach Roy Rogers was called for a technical foul. Moon hit the free shot for a 70-69 lead, Gary's first lead of the game. After a Storm miss, Moon then jammed in a two-hander with a foul conversion for a 73-69 lead. Guard Lonnie Randolph then followed with two free throws, extending Gary's lead to 75-69. Then Moon scored on a runner, giving the Steelheads a 12-0 run and a 77-69 lead.

Oklahoma roared back, regaining the lead at 79-78 when former Steelhead Ray Cunningham dunked on a fast break at 3:46. But Moon answered with another field goal, as Gary regained the lead at 80-79.

The Steelheads trailed 85-84, when guard Louis White was fouled with 35 seconds remaining. White split the foul shots, tying the score at 85. After a timeout, newly-acquired guard Tony Bobbit got the ball in the deep corner and was fouled by Lawrence Barnes on a three-point attempt.

Bobbit connected on 2-of-3, giving Oklahoma an 87-85 lead. Following a timeout with eight seconds remaining, the Steelheads executed well to generate their final shot attempt.

The Storm shot .500 from the field, while the Steelheads shot .483. Oklahoma fired in 4-of-5 from three point range, while Gary shot a respectable 4-of-9.

The Steelheads were paced by forward Jamario Moon, who scored a season-high 28 points. Moon, the team's leading free throw shooter, also shot four technical foul shots against Oklahoma. He hit only the last one. Guard Carl Edwards scored 15 points in a losing cause, while forward Corey Minnifield added a dozen points.

Oklahoma was paced by 26 points from former Steelheads' swingman Ray Cunningham, while forward Michael Cuffee added 18 and Bobbit 14.

In amazing statistical oddity, the Gary Steelheads were credited with only five assists for the game.

The Storm improved to 9-13 on the year, and 7-2 at home. The Steelheads fell to 15-11 and 4-7 on the road. The two teams will meet again Wednesday night at the Mark Price Arena.



United States Basketball League Stories from June 12, 2007


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