Feb 28 vs Chicago
Admirals lose heartbreaker, 94-90
By NATHAN KAHNE - H-P Sports Writer
Published: Sunday, February 28, 2010 1:08 PM EST
ST. JOSEPH - The Lake Michigan Admirals and Chicago Steam are developing a rivalry and it's more than just proximity to each other.
The two American Basketball Association teams played their closest game of the season against each other, a 94-90 Chicago win at Lake Michigan Catholic on Saturday night.
The Admirals (12-6) led briefly at 82-81 with around six minutes left, but fell short thanks in part to 8 of 16 free throw shooting in the final period.
The win gives the Steam three wins in four games against the Admirals; three of the games were decided by 10 points or fewer.
Lake Michigan will play a single elimination divisional playoff game against the winner of Detroit and Pittsburgh on Saturday at Catholic. The winner of the divisional playoffs advances to the ABA's eight-team playoff later in March.
"No doubt, there is a rivalry," said Admirals coach Buck Riley. "They set the tone by just bowling their way in and we didn't have an answer for them."
Both teams started the game slowly, combining to make nine turnovers in the opening three minutes. Chicago (19-3) led 22-17 after one quarter and led 48-32 at halftime after the Steam scored the last five points of the half.
The Admirals turned the ball over 18 times in the first half, shot 34 percent and never scored more than four points in a row.
"The first half was the worst half we played all year," said Riley. "Sometimes they can get out of the gate and sometimes they can't. If people knew why a player plays well only sometimes, they could make a million dollars."
Runs of 9-0 and 10-0 helped the Admirals cut their deficit to 65-60 after three quarters as they slowly crept toward the lead.
In the fourth quarter Lake Michigan led twice, the latest with six minutes left, but Chicago retook the lead each time on their next possession.
Still the Admirals had a chance to win with 22 seconds left as they were down 92-90 with the ball and the 3-D rule on. Jon'tee Willhite's shot was blocked and Chicago recovered, was fouled and made two free throws to ice the game.
The Admirals shot 42 percent, but were just 17 of 30 from the line. Their 90 point total was the lowest of the season.
"Defense is the most important thing," said Chicago coach Jeff Sanders. "We were stressing it all game and they made their comeback with good intensity, but we matched it."
Dominick Melton led the Admirals with 25 points and Odgra Bobo scored 24, including 20 in the second half. In the first half Lake Michigan had two starters attempt no field goals.
Sam Mack led a quarter of Chicago players in double figures with 16 points.
CHICAGO (94)
Royce Parran 4 0-0 10, Eric Smith 2 3-4 8, Sam Mack 5 4-4 16, Darron Evans 1 1-3 3, Steve Strong 3 0-0 6, Rico Hill 5 2-5 13, Karl White 2 1-3 5, Stan Gaines 1 3-4 5, Robert Bush 3 0-0 7, Marcus Van 5 3-7 14, Maurice Carter 2 0-0 6. Totals: 33 17-30 94.
LAKE MICHIGAN (90)
Anthony Slater 1 5-8 7, Antonio Griffin 7 4-10 18, Gus Chase 1 1-2 3, Dominick Melton 9 7-10 25, Larry Logan 3 0-0 7, Odgra Bobo 8 5-9 24, Shane Ross 1 2-2 4. Totals: 31 24-41 90.
Chicago 22 26 17 29 - 94
L. Michigan 17 15 28 30 - 90
3-point goals - Chicago 9 (Parran 2, Smith, Mack 2, Hill, Bush, Carter 2), Lake Michigan 3 (Strong, Bobo 2). Bonus points - Chicago 1 (Van), Lake Michigan 1 (Bobo). Total fouls - Chicago 16, Lake Michigan 15. Fouled out - Logan (LM). Technical fouls - Lake Michigan bench.
