Rockville, MD – The Maryland Nighthawks lost their home opener in OT against the Richmond Ballerz, dropping them 0-2 in home openers during the past two years. Last season the Nighthawks fell to the Rochester Razorsharks.
Trailing, 42-37 at the end of the first quarter, the Nighthawks went with a smaller lineup in the second quarter, which resulted in a run of their own. The duo of Andrew “Spongebob” Washington and Dennis Edwards were a reckon force down low as they combined for 56 points.
Edwards’ unorthodox running floaters in the lane broke down the Ballerz defense, and resulted in a Nighthawks 8 point lead in the fourth quarter. The Ballerz however would not go away and took a two-point lead with 26 seconds in regulation on a Sean Harris (game high 40 points) baseline jumper. Anton Jenifer was fouled on the ensuing possession and made both free throws to tie the game up. The Nighthawks then forced a turnover and had a chance to win it in regulation at the buzzer, but Dennis Edwards 5-foot floater in the lane hit the front of the rim and out, which sent the game into Overtime.
In the three minute overtime period, the game ended in dramatic fashion. Trailing by 2 with 16 seconds remaining, Arthur Lewis’s potential game winning three pointed was straight on but hit the back of the rim and Sean Harris hit a lay-up with 6 seconds to go. Kevin Robinson passed the ball to Andrew Washington who lost the ball out of bounce. The Ballerz however failed to get the ball in play and were called with a 5 second violation resulting in a 3D opportunity. Landy Thompson’s potential game tying 35 foot three pointer at the buzzer hit the rim but failed to fall.
The Nighthawks dropped to 1-1 on the season, while Richmond improved to 1-1. The Nighthawks travel down to Wilmington, NC to play the Wilmington Sea Dawgs tonight at 7:05 pm.
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