Central Basketball Association

MISSISSIPPI 96, ILLINOIS 84: (Danville, Ill.) - With high anticipation and expectation for their CBA debut, along with lofty preseason projections, Illinois received a dose of reality this afternoon, with a stunning upset at the hands of visiting Mississippi. Mississippi (1-1), who failed to win any road games last season, remained on top of the hosts from tip-off to the final horn, not allowing Illinois any opportunity to mount a comeback. Behind the play of guards Marico Stinson (23 points) and Anthony Jones (21 points), Mississippi led by as many as 21 points in the second half, before cruising to their largest margin of victory since their inaugural season in 2015. Illinois (0-1) were led by former NBA D-Leaguer, Tyron Criswell (24 points), and Ayron Worthington (16 points) in the defeat. Mississippi will be involved with a home-and-home next weekend with Middle Tennessee, while Illinois will host Baltimore and travel to Indianapolis next Friday and Saturday, respectively, as they look for their first victory of the season. 

FORT WAYNE 101, INDIANAPOLIS 98: (Fort Wayne, Ind.) - In a game featuring two teams, separated geographically by approximately two hours, and not much love lost for one another, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis battled back and forth throughout the contest. In the second quarter, with Indianapolis up by six, Fort Wayne went on a 17-4 run to finish the first half. The defending champions proceeded to then go on a 7-0 run to open the third quarter, to hold their largest lead of the game at 56-44. But Indianapolis slowly crawled back in the fourth quarter, not only erasing the deficit, but forcing four ties in the final period. Fort Wayne's experience, however, was too strong down the stretch, as Antonio Cannon (20 points) and Corey Wickware (16 points) scored clutch baskets, while Antonio Wilson (4 blocks) stymied Indianapolis in the final minutes to help Fort Wayne (1-0) edge out Indianapolis (1-1), 101-98. Indianapolis, who are now winless against Fort Wayne in all four games against them the past two seasons, were led by former Butler University product, Chrishawn Hopkins (19 points) and Ja'Rob McCallum (16 points) in the defeat. Both teams return to the court next Saturday at home, as Fort Wayne hosts Baltimore next weekend, while Indianapolis hosts Illinois.