Steelheads Win at Oklahoma in Overtime, 98-95
June 13, 2007 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Gary Steelheads News Release
GARY, Indiana (June 13, 2007) - For the second time in two nights, the Gary Steelheads had a chance to win in the closing seconds. This time they did, defeating the Oklahoma Storm in overtime, 98-95 at the Mark Price Arena in Enid, Oklahoma.
The win was a costly one for the Steelheads, as guard Keith Salscheider was injured. It was the second time in three games that a Steelheads player had suffered an injury requiring a hospital visit.
The Steelheads, courtesy of a 9-0 run, grabbed the early lead in the game. At the first quarter stop, Gary lead 19-18. With Gary leading 23-22 in the second quarter, Storm guard Tony Bobbit drove to the basket and got tangled up with Salscheider. Bobbit pushed Salscheider, who lost his balance and fell headfirst into a stage area directly behind the endline. The collision opened a gash on Salscheider's forehead. He was taken via ambulance to a local hospital.
Bobbit was assessed a technical for pushing Salscheider. The University of Cincinnati product was then thrown out of the game when a second technical was assessed after he reportedly taunted Steelheads' coach Cliff Levingston. After a 15 minute pause, play resumed and Gary opened up a lead. But Oklahoma closed the gap late, cutting the Steeheads' lead to 48-47 at halftime.
Guard Louis White fired in 22 points in the first half, while forward Corey Minnifield added 14 points. Gary shot .570 from the field for the half, while Oklahoma connected at a .480 clip for the half. Gary won the boards, 17-13.
The Storm went on a 13-3 run midway through the third quarter, but Gary closed the gap to trail 71-68 at the end of the third period. In the fourth quarter, Oklahoma gradually began to pull away, building the lead to 83-76 with 5:15 remaining. But Gary scored the next six, including a steal and dunk by forward Jamario Moon to pull within a point at 83-82 with 3:18 remaining.
Gary took the lead with a pair of free throws, but guard Joe Adkins ended an 8-0 Steelheads' run with a field goal. The teams traded the lead back and forth, with Gary holding an 87-85 lead with 1:01 left in regulation.
Michael Cuffey then hit two free throws with :44 remaining, tying the game. The Steelheads' Lawrence Barnes broke the tie with a 13-footer from the left elbow. After a time out, Cuffey was fouled again on a drive and hit both free throws with 14 seconds left. Moon missed a layup, and Oklahoma guard Quantis White misfired on a three pointer at the horn forcing the overtime.
The extra period began with Oklahoma's Joe Adkins connecting on two free throws after being fouled, giving the Storm a 91-89 lead. But Gary scored the next six points, on two free throws by Barnes, a steal and score by White and a field goal by David Monds. The Storm's Quantas White cut the lead to 95-93 with a field goal.
The Steelheads then missed three straight shots, two by Moon and one by White. But each time White outhustled everyone to the ball, giving the Steelheads a fresh possession. After a time out, White was fouled immediately. He split his two foul shots for a 96-93 Gary lead. Cuffey then drove the lane for a quick basket, cutting the Gary lead to 96-95.
After a time out, Barnes got the ball to Moon on the inbounds pass. He was fouled immediately, connecting on both of his free throws for a 98-95 lead. Moon then sealed the victory by stealing the inbounds pass.
White had a season-high 32 points to pace the Steelheads, followed by Moon with 21 and Corey Minnifield with 20. Minnifield came within one rebound of a double-double with nine. Oklahoma was paced by Michael Cuffey with 18 points and Jarred Merrill with 14.
The Steelheads shot .500 from the field for the game, with the Storm connecting at .446. Gary won the boards, 33-28. Oklahoma committed 19 turnovers, while the Steelheads turned the ball over 16 times.
Gary improved their season record to 16-11, with a road record of 5-8. The Steelheads finished their five game road trip with a 2-3 mark.
The game was played during inclement weather in northern Oklahoma. Radio station KNID-FM, which carries the Storm games, was knocked off the air during halftime. The station was unable to carry the remainder of the game.
The Steelheads travel home Thursday and will host the Long Island Prime Time on Fan Appreciation Night Friday night at the Genesis Center.
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