Giants huddle before playing the Chicago Steam. Picture by Michael Bondanza.
An exciting Jacksonville comeback came up just one point short as the Giants dropped a heartbreaker to the #10 DMV Warriors, 113-112. Jacksonville splits their two-game east coast road trip with a 1-1 record.
The Giants played vigorously throughout the weekend against two very exceptionable opponents in the tenth-ranked DMV Warriors and the previously unbeaten Richmond Elite. DMV improves to 11-3 while the Giants drop to 17-6.
During tonight’s game, the Giants battled back and forth with an experienced DMV team. The Warriors jumped out to an early first quarter lead and the Giants responded with impressive perimeter shooting from former ABA MVP, Jermaine Bell. Bell had 14 first-half points to keep Jacksonville in command, 51-47, midway through the second quarter. Bell ended the game with a Jacksonville team-high of 22 points. However, DMV made a late run go into halftime with a 62-56 advantage.
DMV continued to maintain the lead throughout the third quarter. The Warriors were led by point guard Andrew Washington who scored a team-high 26 points. Washington, complemented by ABA veteran Terry Hasley, added 18 points from his shooting guard position. Jacksonville cut the deficit to 81-77 late in the third quarter with the energetic play from guards Ed Horton and newcomer Tiras Wade. Horton finished the game with 20 points and Wade contributed 16 points.
Trailing 89-84 and while headed into the fourth quarter, the Giants played with vigor on both sides of the ball. Elijah Smith accompanied Bell with the offensive production as he scored 15 points tonight. Jacksonville was able to get within one point of the Warriors. In a late rally, Jacksonville fell short and gave DMV the win.
The Giants will now turn their attention towards next week. Jacksonville will take on the Baltimore Hawks this Friday, February 19th, for Military Appreciation Night at the Veterans Memorial Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM. The last time the Giants played at the Arena was on January 16th when they set an ABA attendance record with 8,987 fans. Following Friday night’s game, Jacksonville will take on the Daytona Beach Sharks in a rematch from November 21st and 22nd. Jacksonville looks to redeem their loss to Daytona in both games during that series. Jacksonville will play the Sharks on Sunday, February 21st, at Nassau County High School for a 7:00 PM tip off.