Central Basketball Association

BALTIMORE 107, MIDDLE TENNESSEE 78: (Arnold, Md.) - With both teams entering tonight with only one victory each on the season, and knowing that a defeat would all but eliminate them from postseason contention, Baltimore and Middle Tennessee came out in the first quarter in a back-and-forth battle with 10 ties and lead changes. But things slowly began drifting towards the direction of the hosts, as they went on a 21-10 run late in the second quarter to go into the intermission with a slim two point advantage. But the second half was all Baltimore, as they capitalized on a 16-4 run to open up the period, to extend their lead to 14 points. Although Middle Tennessee cut the deficit to five late in the third quarter, Baltimore pulled away in the final period with a 37-13 run, to lead by as many as 31 points, en route to their largest margin of victory this season. Baltimore (2-4), who kept their postseason hopes alive, were led by Torey Fassett (25 points) and Kendall Allison (14 points), while Middle Tennessee (1-4), who lost their fourth consecutive contest, were led by Frank Thaxton (18 points) and Fabien Laronde (16 points). Baltimore hosts the defending champions, Fort Wayne, with two games at home next weekend, while Middle Tennessee plays a critical home-and-home series next weekend with rivals, Bowling Green. 

INDIANAPOLIS 84, MISSISSIPPI 70: (Memphis, Tenn.) - Unlike the earlier matchup between Baltimore and Middle Tennessee, which was a battle of last place teams, tonight's contest in Memphis featured two teams aiming for not only their fourth win of the season, but also coming closer to a postseason berth. In the first matchup between the two teams in Indianapolis during the opening weekend of the season, Indianapolis outscored Mississippi by 15 points in the first half. Yet, tonight had a different beginning to the game. After Indianapolis took a five-point advantage in the first quarter, Mississippi outscored the visitors by seven in the second frame to go into halftime with the lead. It was only the second time, out of seven games this season, that Mississippi had led at the midway point of a game. But this was short-lived, as Indianapolis regained the lead in the third quarter and outscored Mississippi by 12 points in the final frame, en route to their fourth victory of the season. Indianapolis (4-2), who won their first road game of the season, were led by their dynamic duo in the backcourt: Anthony White with 19 points and Chrishawn Hopkins with 16 points, while Mississippi (3-4), who lost their third consecutive game, were led by Anthony Jones with 20 points and Marico Stinson with 15 points. Indianapolis wraps up their final road trip of the season with an afternoon contest tomorrow afternoon at Bowling Green, where with a victory, Indianapolis will clinch a playoff berth. Mississippi will enter a bye week next weekend, before playing their season finale, against Bowling Green at home two weeks from today.