Central Basketball Association

INDIANAPOLIS 95, FORT WAYNE 94: (Indianapolis, Ind.) - In a matchup between this year's only two undefeated teams, as both vied for the pole position in the standings, Indianapolis and Fort Wayne spent the first three quarters of this afternoon's game battling intensely back and forth. With the teams exchanging nearly two dozen lead changes, with Fort Wayne leading by as many as nine points in the first quarter, and Indianapolis as many as eight in the second frame, it appeared this game would go down to the wire. But the momentum began shifting in the home team's favor in the final quarter as Indianapolis jumped ahead and secured a 15-point lead at 85-70 with five minutes left in the game. Yet, the defending champions, led by former league MVP, Antonio Cannon, spurred a tremendous comeback for Fort Wayne, going on a 24-8 run and retaking the lead, 94-93, with 25 seconds left. Down by one point in front of a stunned home crowd, Indianapolis regained the advantage 14 seconds later, as Darryl Walker hit two free throws, to take a 95-94 lead. On the ensuing possession, Indianapolis double-teamed Cannon, forcing him to give up the ball to Kendan Lewis, who was unable to hit the game-winning shot, allowing Indianapolis to squeak out the victory and remain undefeated on the season. Indianapolis was led by Chrishawn Hopkins with 20 points, while Fort Wayne was led by Cannon with 33 points. Indianapolis (5-0), which will seek to earn their second consecutive regular season crown, will host Illinois next Saturday, while Fort Wayne (4-1) will look to even the season series with Indianapolis with a home matchup next Sunday afternoon. 

MEMPHIS 103, JACKSON 99: (Memphis, Tenn.) - In the third meeting of the season between the two teams, with the first two encounters occurring in Jackson, Memphis did not get off to a good start as they trailed by as many as 12 points early in the first quarter. Memphis took its first lead 33-31 early in the second quarter, only to let Jackson go on a 10-0 run to shift the deficit to eight points for Memphis. The deficit continued until late in the second half, where the two teams combined for eight ties and lead changes. With Memphis trailing 85-84 with less than five minutes remaining in the game, Memphis went on a 9-2 run to pull away for good and win their fourth game in the last five games. Memphis was led by Dontarion Wright with 33 points and Keith Barron with 27 points, while Jackson was led by LaJarvis Webster with 17 points and Ervin Herron II with 15 points. Memphis (4-2), which improved to 3-0 at home this season, will travel to Bowling Green next Sunday afternoon, while Jackson (1-4) will participate in a home-and-home series with Middle Tennessee next weekend. 

BOWLING GREEN 113, BALTIMORE 111 (OT): In a matchup between a team that has made the postseason four out of the last five years in Bowling Green, and a Baltimore squad that is winless this season and 0-7 overall in team history on the road, it turned out to be a surprising back-and-forth affair as each period of the game was decided by three points or less: Bowling Green led by three at the end of the first, led by two at halftime, and the game was tied at the end of the third and fourth quarters leading to an extra period to determine a winner. It appeared as if a second overtime would be needed, as the two teams were tied at 111-111, but Bowling Green was fouled with one second remaining. The hosts hit both free throws to win 113-111 and escape with a narrow victory and keep their postseason hopes alive. Bowling Green was led by Monte Burney with a league-high 45 points and Kalen Kimberland with 15 points, while Baltimore was led by Antonio Wright with 35 points and Kendall Allison with 24 points. Bowling Green (3-2) hosts Memphis next Sunday afternoon, while Baltimore will finish their season schedule in two weeks when they host two games against Fort Wayne.