The Los Angeles D-Fenders defeated the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in their final home game of the season, by a score of 108-106, in the final 5 seconds with Vander Blue scoring the winning layup at the buzzer. This rematch was much lower scoring than the initial matchup the day before, which boasted a score of 135-128 with the Mad Ants winning. Jordan Crawford was a prolific scorer again, with 27 points and shooting 12 for 27 from the field. CJ Fair had a great game as well, scoring 23 points at 50 percent shooting and grabbing 11 rebounds. Trey McKinney-Jones was not the highest scorer, but he had the most highlight plays. He made 6 of his 10 shots, most of which were high flying dunks. McKinney-Jones also dished out 5 assists.

As for the D-Fenders, their scoring numbers were quite balanced. Seven of their nine active players scored in the double digits. Former Mad Ant Will Sheehey and Jamaal Franklin were both tied for their team’s leading scorer at 19 points. Jamaal Franklin is the only player in this game that achieved a triple-double, adding 10 rebounds and 10 assists to his stat line. Vander Blue and Jarvis Varnado both scored 14 points each, and Roscoe Smith finished the game with 13 points and 9 rebounds.

Points came in spurts, between free throw shots and scoring tears from Jordan Crawford and Jamaal Franklin. In terms of accuracy, both the D-Fenders and Mad Ants struggled throughout the game to make shots. The Mad Ants as a team made 43 percent from from the field and just 30 percent for three pointers. The D-Fenders were just slightly better, with 46 percent shooting, but worse from three point land at 29 percent.

The Los Angeles D-Fenders are out of playoff contention, but the Fort Wayne Mad Ants are very much in the running. They are 2.5 games behind the division leading Sioux Falls Skyforce, who they play back to back in their final two games of the season. The Skyforce have beaten the Mad Ants 3 out of the 4 times they have played this season. The Iowa Energy are breathing down the Mad Ants’ neck, only one game behind them. The Mad Ants have to win out to possibly take the division and clinch the final playoff spot.

If the playoffs started today, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants would play the number one-seeded Maine Red Claws, who lead the season series 3-1.

By Joshua Hamer