Strong Second Half Lifts Red Claws Past BayHawks
December 6, 2015 - NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
Portland, ME - The Maine Red Claws, presented by Unum, took advantage of a strong performance from Boston Celtics assignee Jordan Mickey (32 points, 13 rebounds) and their best defensive third quarter in team history, only allowing 12 points while erasing a six point halftime deficit to clip the Erie BayHawks Sunday afternoon at the Portland Expo Building, 110-97.
Maine (5-4) fell into an early four point hole as Devyn Marble, on assignment from the Orlando Magic, converted on two free throws and a dunk to take an early lead for the BayHawks (2-5). Andre Stringer drilled a three and assisted Omari Johnson and Mickey in the paint to take an 11-6 lead. Erie battled back with a three from Marble to tie the game at 11. The teams traded baskets, with Johnson giving the Red Claws a 19-17 lead. Erie then closed out the quarter on an 11-0 run, paced by Keith Appling and Jordan Sibert to finish the first with a 28-19 lead.
The second quarter was a high scoring affair for both teams, with the teams trading baskets early, with Sibert, Appling and Marble finding shots that were answered by Mickey, Coty Clarke and Levi Randolph. Myck Kabongo gave Erie a 37-27 lead on an inside shot at the 8:32 mark before Maine went on a 16-4 run over the next 2:53 to take a 42-41 lead. Clarke, Mickey and Malcolm Miller paced the run, but it was short lived as Kabongo, Appling and Melvin Ejim responded with an 8-1 run for Erie to push the lead to 49-43. Johnson, Stringer and Miller converted three point shots on consecutive possessions, only to be answered by Tyler Harvey, who scored on three consecutive possessions to maintain the lead for the BayHawks. Mickey scored six points on three consecutive possessions, but Harvey answered on two of them and Marble converted a three with 0.2 seconds in the half to take a 62-56 lead into the locker room.
After Appling opened the scoring in the second half for Erie, Maine went on a 10-2 run to knot the game at 68-68. Appling scored the Erie basket in the run, and the basket to end the run, but Maine would close out the quarter on an 11-4 run, with Ejim and Appling scoring the points for Erie. Clarke had seven points in the run and Mickey closed out the quarter with the final four points to give the Red Claws a 79-74 lead heading into the final quarter. Maine held Erie to 12 points in the frame, with Appling scoring eight of them.
Appling led the way for the BayHawks with 25 points, five assists and four rebounds. Erie also got strong outputs from Harvey (22), Marble (15 points, seven rebounds), Sibert (11) and Ejim (nine points, 10 rebounds).
Mickey led all scorers with 32, adding 13 rebounds and two blocked shots. Johnson poured in 15 points and secured five rebounds, Clarke added 15, Miller had 14, Randolph 13 and six rebounds and Stringer had 10 points, 13 assists and five rebounds to round out the Red Claws in double figures.
Erie travels to Raptors 905 on Wednesday night. Tip-off is at 7:30 PM. The Red Claws next game is also at Raptors 905 on Friday morning. Tip-off is at 11:00 AM.
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