The Fort Wayne Mad Ants defeated the Sioux Falls Skyforce 97-93 Saturday night at the Sioux Falls Arena. After trailing for most of the game, Fort Wayne completed the comeback tonight with a strong fourth quarter finish.
Both teams got off to sluggish starts due to poor shooting and turnovers. Combining for eight turnovers and just 35 points in the first quarter, Casey Mitchell knocked in a 3-pointer late in the first to give Sioux Falls (7-17) an 18-17 lead after one. Ignited by Mitchell and Jamelle Horne's play off the bench, Sioux Falls raced out to a 47-35 lead in the second when Dominique Coleman found Horne for a layup. Fort Wayne (9-14) climbed back into the game, ending the half on a 9-0 run to trim the deficit to 47-44 at the half.
Sioux Falls came out after halftime ready to complete the weekend sweep and led for a majority of the second half. Trailing 79-74 a little over halfway through the fourth quarter, Fort Wayne knocked down three 3-pointers in a row, going on an 11-0 run to take an 85-79 lead. Sioux Falls was never able to recover and fell to 5-7 at the midway point of their home schedule.
The fourth quarter comeback for Fort Wayne was fueled off turnovers by Sioux Falls, who committed nine in the fourth that led to 15 points.
Gilbert Brown was one of six players to score in double figures for Fort Wayne, finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Tory Jackson posted another all-around solid game with 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Patrick Ewing, Jr. had a strong performance with 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Gabe Pruitt scored 17 points while Horne added 14 on 6-of-8 field goals off the bench.
Fort Wayne continues their road trip with a matchup at Rio Grande Valley Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET. Sioux Falls visits Erie Friday at 6 p.m. CT.
