Central Basketball Association

WEEK 5: SATURDAY GAMES:

INDIANAPOLIS 130, ILLINOIS 113: (Danville, Ill.) - After a see-saw first half, which saw numerous lead changes, and the hosts leading by as many as seven points, Indianapolis took control of the game in the second half with its second come-from-behind victory against Illinois in three contests this season. Indianapolis (6-0) was led by Anthony White, Jr. (27 points) and Franqlin Gatson (21 points), who each hit seven three-pointers in the game. Illinois (1-6) had four players in double-digits, including Marcus Myers (34 points), Widgett Washington (28 points), Tiger O'Neil (25 points), and Ayron Worthington (24 points). 

MIDDLE TENNESSEE 108, JACKSON 97: (Nashville, Tenn.) - In a matchup of teams heading in two different directions, Middle Tennessee's defense suffocated Jackson in the second quarter, holding them to just 14 points in the period, allowing the hosts to build a massive first half lead and cruise to another double-digit victory. Middle Tennessee (4-1) improved to 3-0 at home this year after going winless last season, and were led by Joshua Sain (26 points) and Myles Thrash (21 points). Jackson (1-5) was led by Kendrick Pool (23 points) and Ervin Herron II (20 points). 

WEEK 5: SUNDAY GAMES

INDIANAPOLIS 103, FORT WAYNE 100 (OT): (Fort Wayne, Ind.) - Last Sunday, Indianapolis blew a 15-point lead with five minutes remaining in the game, but hit two game-winning free throws in the final seconds to knock off the defending champions and snap their undefeated record for the season. The two teams met again Sunday afternoon, except this time in Fort Wayne, where the hosts had not lost a regular season game since their inaugural season in 2014. The game went back-and-forth in competitive fashion the entire contest, but the drama took over with under a minute left in regulation. With 51 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Indianapolis' Anthony White, Jr. appeared to have hit the game-clinching three-point field goal to give the visitors the 86-82 lead. But former league MVP, Fort Wayne's Antonio Cannon, who single-handedly led the comeback last week, hit one of two free throws three seconds later, followed by hitting all three free-throws with 18 seconds remaining on a fouled three-point shot, and forced the game to go into overtime at 86-86. In the extra period, the teams exchanged blows back and forth, with White, Jr. scoring nine points for Indianapolis, while Nick Gamble, Antonio Cannon, and Ronald Lucas III each hit three-pointers for Fort Wayne in overtime. But with 30 seconds left in the game, and Indianapolis trailing 100-99, former Butler University guard, Chrishawn Hopkins, took over as he drove the lane, hit the layup, stole the ball on the ensuing possession, and took it himself for another score - all within a span of 10 seconds to give his Indianapolis club the season sweep of the series and end Fort Wayne's 17-game home winning streak. Indianapolis (7-0) was led by Hopkins (19 points) and White, Jr. (16 points), while Fort Wayne (4-2) was led by Cannon (26 points) and Terrance Beasley (16 points).

BOWLING GREEN 114, MEMPHIS 101: (Russellville, Ky.) - During the first week of the regular season, Memphis stunned Bowling Green with an overtime victory, where they rallied from not one, but two double-digit deficits in the second half. On Sunday afternoon, Bowling Green exacted revenge with a double-digit lead that did not relinquish en route to their fourth victory of the season and fifth consecutive win at home dating back to last year. Bowling Green (4-2) was led by Marcus Carmon-Okubo (21 points) and Roy McFadgon (18 points), while Memphis (4-3) was led by Jameel Best (25 points) and Dontarion Wright (20 points).  

MIDDLE TENNESSEE 91, JACKSON 70: (Jackson, Tenn.) - In the second leg of the weekend home-and-home series, Middle Tennessee's defense was the storyline again for a second consecutive day, as they held the hosts to just 12 points in the first quarter, 15 points in the fourth quarter, and the lowest point total of the season for Jackson. Middle Tennessee (5-1), who jumped into second place as a result of the Fort Wayne loss, was led by Joshua Sain for a second straight night with 21 points, while Mychael Robinson led Jackson with 20 points. 

WEEK 6 CBA SCHEDULE:

The final weekend of the 2018 CBA Regular Season begins this Friday night with two games: Indianapolis (7-0) at Illinois (1-6) and Fort Wayne (4-2) at Baltimore (0-6). Indianapolis leads the season series with Illinois 3-0, while Fort Wayne and Baltimore split both games last year, when they faced each other in Maryland. 

Saturday evening features Bowling Green (4-2) facing Middle Tennessee (4-1) with the second of three matchups between the two this season, as Middle Tennessee leads the season series 1-0. Fort Wayne and Baltimore will also play each other for a second time. 

Sunday afternoon will feature Memphis (4-3) hosting Jackson (1-6) in a critical game for the home team, while Bowling Green will host Middle Tennessee. 

POSTSEASON INFORMATION:

The 2018 CBA Postseason Tournament will be held in Fort Wayne this year, with the semifinals on Saturday, May 5 and the championship game on Sunday, May 6. The top four teams at the end of the regular season will advance. If two teams are tied in the standings, then head-to-head record would serve as the first tie-breaker, point-differential as the second tie-breaker, road record as the third tie-breaker. 

The following are the current standings and the matchups if the playoffs began today.

1. Indianapolis (Record: 7-0; Point Differential: +155; Road Record: 3-0)

2. Middle Tennessee (Record: 5-1; Point Differential: +74; Road Record: 2-1)

3. Fort Wayne (Record: 4-2; Point Differential: +82; Road Record: 1-1)

4. Bowling Green (Record: 4-2; Point Differential: +37; Road Record: 1-2)

5. Memphis (Record: 4-3; Point Differential: -12; Road Record: 1-3)