Central Basketball Association

INDIANAPOLIS 134, BALTIMORE 74: (Indianapolis, Ind.) - When these two teams faced last weekend in Baltimore, last year's runners-up, Indianapolis, ran away with a 37-point rout. It appears last week's result turned out to be the more competitive contest compared to this matchup. After both teams exchanged baskets early in the game to have the score knotted at 8-8, Indianapolis went on a 64-17 run to finish the half, including a 15-0 run to open the second quarter behind Franklin Gatson's four three-point field goals. Indianapolis scored 72 points in the first half, two points shy of Baltimore's total scoring for the entire game. Indianapolis, who led by as many as 68 points, finished with a 60-point margin of victory, which is third all-time in the CBA, behind Bowling Green's 62-point win over Peoria in 2015 and Columbus' 61-point victory over Peoria in 2016. Indianapolis was led by Jeremy Dupree-Gipson (28 points), Darryl Walker (22 points) and Franqlin Gatson (18 points), while Baltimore was led by Chris Outing (14 points), Antonio Wright (13 points) and Troy Vasco (12 points). Indianapolis (4-0) faces undefeated Fort Wayne Sunday afternoon at home in a battle for first place and a rematch of last year's championship game. Baltimore (0-5) concludes their final road trip of the season by traveling to Kentucky Sunday afternoon to face Bowling Green. 

FORT WAYNE 102, ILLINOIS 81: (Fort Wayne, Ind.) - This year has been the story of two halves for the two-time defending champions, particularly the first quarters and third quarters of games. Prior to this matchup, Fort Wayne had been outscored by opponents by one point in the first quarter, while outscoring teams by 66 points in the third quarter, including two games with over 40 points in the period. In this contest, much of the same trend continued, as Fort Wayne struggled against Illinois in the first quarter, only leading by four points, and then only up by two points at the midway point, 38-36. But Fort Wayne, as they have done all season, outscored Illinois 34-18 in the third quarter, en route to another double-digit victory and their 17th consecutive regular season win at home, dating back to the 2014 CBA season. Fort Wayne was led by Terrance Beasley (22 points), along with Antonio Cannon and Nick Gamble with 16 points each. Illinois was led by Dlando Carter (27 points), Widgett Washington (20 points), and Ayron Worthington (18 points). Fort Wayne (4-0) travels to Indianapolis Sunday afternoon in a matchup for first place and a battle for an undefeated record, while Illinois (1-5), who lost their fourth straight game, travels to Indianapolis next Saturday evening. 

MIDDLE TENNESSEE 106, BOWLING GREEN 93: (Nashville, Tenn.) - Last Sunday afternoon in Memphis, Middle Tennessee blew a 16-point lead late in the fourth quarter and lost their first game of the season. It appeared the same script was on tap in Nashville, as Middle Tennessee jumped out to a 20-point lead in the first half against Bowling Green. But the hosts let off the gas and relinquished their advantage with seven minutes left in the game, as Bowling Green went on a 50-29 run in the second half to take the lead 90-87. However, Middle Tennessee pulled together immediately after losing the lead and engaged in a suffocating defense, allowing only three points over the final seven minutes, going on a 19-3 run to close out the game and earning their third victory of the season. Middle Tennessee was led by Myles Thrash (35 points), Torye Pelham (17 points), and Joshua Sain (15 points). Bowling Green, who had five players in double-digits, were led by Jacob Lloyd (18 points), Monte Burney (17 points), and Roy McFadgon (16 points). Middle Tennessee (3-1) will host Jackson next Saturday evening, while Bowling Green (2-2) will look to keep its playoff hopes alive with a Sunday afternoon contest hosting Baltimore. 

MEMPHIS 94, JACKSON 92: (Jackson, Tenn.) - During the opening weekend of the season, Memphis traveled to Jackson only to get shell-shocked with a double-digit upset defeat. Last weekend, Memphis traveled to Nashville, only to blow a fourth-quarter double-digit lead and lose to Middle Tennessee. With an undefeated record at home, but winless on the road, it was imperative for Memphis to get back on the winning track. After leading in the first half by nine points, Memphis held off a Jackson comeback in the final minutes of the game, to squeak out a two-point victory, and winning their third game in the last four contests. Memphis was led by Keith Barron (25 points) and Jameel Best (19 points), while Jackson was led by Ervin Herron II (22 points) and Kendrick Coleman (19 points). Memphis (3-2), which now sits as the four-seed if the postseason began today, will face Jackson (1-3) again Sunday afternoon in Memphis, as Jackson looks to snap a three-game losing streak.