Game Review: Erie BayHawks 82, Iowa Energy 85

From the department of redundancy department, the Erie BayHawks lost to the Iowa Energy 85-82. For those keeping track, the BayHawks have lost four straight (all against Iowa) and are now 0-8 against the Energy this season. They're also eight games below .500 on the year with a record of 12-20.



The final margin was close. This was a winnable game for the BayHawks, but they played down the stretch like a team that had lost seven straight times to the other team. Iowa was in their heads. In the fourth quarter, Iowa seemed to make all the big plays—a key offensive rebound and putback by Earl Barron, an alley-oop from Curtis Stinson to Shy Ely (great name)—while Erie did not.

Erie trailed 83-78 with 2 minutes left when John Bryant was called for an illegal screen. After getting the defensive stop they needed, the BayHawks came down and looked scared. Three or four players passed up open shots before Jackie Manuel finally triggered a jumper and missed. Mike Gansey grabbed the rebound and another two or three players passed up shot opportunities. Again, Manuel finally tried to be the aggressor, but he was called for travelling. He immediately redeemed himself with a steal and dunk to cut the deficit to 83-80.

Again, Erie got the stop it needed with John Bryant gathering the rebound and starting the fast break with an outlet to Cliff Clinkscales. CC, as the Iowa announce team called him, ran it up court and took a floater in the lane that clanked off the rim. Iowa came back down and Curtis Stinson found Ely for the aforementioned alley-oop to put Iowa up 5, effectively ending the game.

The BayHawks won the first and third quarters, but lost quarters two and four by a combined 19 points. Neither team shot well (39.2 percent for Erie, 38 percent for Iowa).

Some quick player assessments from tonight's game:

• John Bryant led Erie with 18 points, though he had only 7 rebounds.
• Alade Aminu started but played only 23 minutes. He has 12 points, 9 rebounds.
• Cliff Clinkscales had 10 assists, but he also shot just 2-10 from the field.
• Mike Gansey had a team-high 15 rebounds, but his shooting woes against the Energy continued as he shot 3-11, 1-6 from 3.
• Ivan Harris scored 15 points in 15 minutes off the bench. I guess that's why he was called "The Microwave" in college.
• Jarvis Gunter rebounds with the best of 'em: 9 rebounds in 21 minutes of action.
  

Erie was scheduled to return home to host Fort Wayne tomorrow night. However, due to inclement weather, that game has been postponed and rescheduled for Wednesday, March 24. As a result, the BayHawks' all-star break starts early. There next game is not until Saturday, February 20. Cedric Jackson will likely return from the NBA and be back in the BayHawks' lineup for that one.