PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — The Maine Red Claws, presented by Unum, dropped their 3rd straight game Sunday, this time to the Erie Bayhawks, 108-104.
Abdel Nader led Maine (9-6) with 27 points and 6 rebounds, while Damion Lee added 20 points, 7 boards and 5 assists in the losing cause. Jalen Jones recorded his third straight double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Demetrius Jackson, on assignment from the Boston Celtics, led the bench scoring with 18 points.
The Red Claws started the game on a 7-2 run, with Marcus Georges-Hunt and Jones leading the charge. Anthony Brown scored eight early points for the Bayhawks, as Erie (4-10) took an early 16-12 lead. Jackson and the Red Claws would hang with the Bayhawks, dropping in a step-back three late in the period. Ramon Galloway drained a three at the buzzer, giving Erie a 33-28 lead after one quarter.
In the 2nd quarter, Nader dropped in a floater off the glass to get it to a one point deficit at 43-42. Erie then went on a 10-4 run to extend their lead. The Bayhawks shot 55.3% (21-38) from the floor in the first half, while Maine shot just 40.9% (18-44) and 4-16 from downtown. Erie took a 56-49 lead into the break.
Nader started the scoring in the second half with a three-point play. T.J. Price followed it up with a three-point play of his own. Price’s bucket extended Erie’s lead to 10 at 68-58. Erie would extend to a 73-60 lead, but Lee, Malcolm Miller and Jackson led Maine on a 12-0 run to make it a 73-72 ballgame. After a chippy quarter, Erie’s lead was 83-79 after three.
In the 4th quarter, with the Bayhawks leading 83-81, Lee was called for a flagrant foul on Stephen Zimmerman. The free throws and subsequent bucket by Price gave Erie a five point lead. Price’s steal and lay-in was part of a 10-0 run that made it 93-81 Bayhawks. The Red Claws weren’t done – Lee’s big block sparked the offense, and Jones dropped in a three to make it 99-95. Alexander would stop the run, slamming home a bucket to get it back to six. Jackson stole the ball and set up Lee for a trey, making it a 101-100 game. Brown hit a tough shot to keep Erie on top, putting the Red Claws away for good.
