South Florida Gold vs. the Jacksonville Giants during an ABA professional basketball game at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday, December 3, 2016. (www.GaryLloydMcCullough.com)

Trailing by 26 points in the third quarter did not phase the defending ABA Champion Jacksonville Giants. The Giants battled back, outscoring the Warriors 42-26 during the fourth quarter, which included a 25-11 run midway through the quarter. However, Robert Hornsby’s missed jumper at the conclusion of the game was the difference in a heart-wrenching 104-102 loss to the #2 DMV Warriors. 
 
“I’m proud of my guys for the way we came back in the game,” said Giants head coach Jerry Williams. “We must learn from this loss and regroup.”
 
Hornsby finished the game with a team-high 28 points. With only .8 seconds remaining in the game Hornsby went to the free throw line with Jacksonville trailing 104-101. Hornsby made his first free throw, but because of time constraints had to intentionally miss his last free throw in order for the Giants to have an opportunity to get off one last two point shot. Hornsby rebounded his own free throw miss but was unable to get the final scoring attempt, as the ball spun out of the hoop. 
 
“Robert (Hornsby) played a great game,” said Williams. “I was very happy with his playing ability.”
 
The Warriors, based out of Washington DC, jumped out to an early lead over the Giants at the conclusion of the first half, leading 47-37. DMV was led by strong play from Dylon Cormier and Kelvin Parker Jr. Both Cormier and Parker combined for 41 points in the win. The Warriors came into the game averaging 143 points per game and were held to their lowest scoring output of the season. Defensively the Warriors outrebounded the Giants 58-49. 
 
As the Warriors lead increased by 26 points in the third quarter, Coach Williams continued to keep it positive with his team. The Giants made a 9-0 run late in third quarter and began to chip away at the DMV lead throughout the fourth quarter. Ed Horton and Maurice Mickens made key three-pointers to cut the deficit with Elijah Smith adding two slam dunks. Larry Dumas and Mickens had three steals each. 
 
“We just had too many mistakes early in the game,” said Williams. 
 
Hornsby led the Giants with 28 points. Horton was second on the team with 24 points and Mickens was third with 16 points. 
 
Despite the loss, the Giants will remain positive. Jacksonville played three games this week against the top two teams in the ABA Power Rankings. The Giants split the series with the #1 Orlando Waves on Sunday and Wednesday of this past week while losing tonight in a close game to the #2 DMV Warriors.