Central Basketball Association

BALTIMORE 89, FORT WAYNE 86: (Severn, Md.) - In the third and final meeting between the two teams this regular season, Baltimore and Fort Wayne engaged in a highly-contested, back-and-forth affair, featuring over 20 lead changes during the game. Needing a victory to stay alive in the postseason race, Baltimore kept the pressure on the defending champions all night long, including having 12 lead changes in the final period. But with Fort Wayne up 84-81 with 80 seconds remaining in the game, Baltimore went on a 8-0 run to edge out the victory over the visitors. Baltimore (3-5), which completed their regular season schedule tonight and won three out of their final four games, were led by Torey Fassett (27 points), Jermaine Bolden (19 points) and Damarius Cruz (18 points), while Fort Wayne (5-2), who have now lost two out of their last three contests, were led by Antonio Wilson (19 points) and Mikel Brigham (17 points). Baltimore will need some help from several teams next weekend to back in to the playoffs as the fourth seed, while Fort Wayne will be in a critical showdown next Saturday night on the road, as they face Indianapolis for potentially the top-seed in the playoffs.

BOWLING GREEN 108, MIDDLE TENNESSEE 107: (Nashville, Tenn.) - Five weeks ago, on the same court in Nashville, Bowling Green was handed their worst loss in the organization's five-year history, as they fell to Middle Tennessee by 29 points. It appeared the same script was in store this evening, as Middle Tennessee led by 12 points at halftime, led by 15 points at the end of three quarters, and led by as many as 17 points with five minutes remaining in the game. But Bowling Green began a comeback for the record books, as down 105-93 with a little over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the visitors went on a 15-2 run to end the game, capped by Fred Sturdivant's game-winning basket with 1.8 seconds on the clock to stun Middle Tennessee at home. Bowling Green (3-2), who now control their own destiny for the postseason and can potentially earn the top seed if they win out, were led by Fred Sturdivant and Damarius Smith with 20 points each, while Middle Tennessee (1-5), which has lost a record fifth consecutive game, were led by Torye Pelham with 16 points, and Marquis Patton and Joshua Sain with 15 points each. The two teams will meet again tomorrow afternoon in Kentucky, where another loss for Middle Tennessee will eliminate them from playoff contention.