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The Fort Report: Mad Ants Fall From Playoff Contention

It was a rough week for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (19-30), who faced a tough three-game road stretch and have been eliminated from playoff contention.

The Mad Ants began a two-game road series with the Iowa Energy (24-24) last Thursday in Wells Fargo Arena. C.J. Fair led the Mad Ants with 25 points, and Rakeem Christmas and Shayne Whittington both added in double-doubles.

Fort Wayne led at the end of the first quarter, 26-20, but the Energy were able to take the 48-44 lead at halftime. Iowa extended their lead to 19 points in the third quarter, but the Mad Ants were able to climb their way back to enter the final minute of the game trailing by just two points. C.J. Fair buried a three to tie the game with just 1.5 seconds left in the game, but a last-second three by Iowa’s Ramon Harris sealed the win for the Energy.

The Mad Ants remained in Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday as they played the second game in their series against the Energy. Despite six different Mad Ants scoring in double-figures and a 20-point performance by Xavier Thames, the Energy cruised past the Mad Ants in Iowa for the second game in a row, 122-104. Michael Frazier, who has been a spark of late for Fort Wayne, came off the bench to score 19 points and pull down eight rebounds. The Mad Ants shot 51 percent from the field and scored 104 points, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Energy, who extended their win-streak to six games with the win.

It was an exciting start for both teams to start the game as they exchanged leads seven times in the first quarter. Iowa led 36-29 heading into the second quarter and outscored the Mad Ants 33-24 to hold the advantage heading into halftime. Iowa continued to bring high-scoring in the second half as they opened up a 28-point lead over the Mad Ants. The Mad Ants would never catch up to the Energy, who were led by D.J. Stephens with 29 points.

Fort Wayne traveled to Westchester on Wednesday, defeating the Westchester Knicks 98-91. Michael Frazier scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds, and Walter Lemon Jr. added 19 points and three assists in the win.

The Mad Ants held the Knicks (27-21) to just 1-of-17 three-point shooting, while they sank seven three-pointers themselves. Fort Wayne jumped out to a 7-0 lead to start the game and led by as many as 19 points in the first half. The Mad Ants would never allow the Knicks to gain the lead. Their win over Westchester gives sole possession of the Atlantic title to the Maine Red Claws.

The Mad Ants will be back at home for their final game of the season on Friday as they take on the Erie Bayhawks. The Mad Ants will dedicate this final game to their fans with Fan Appreciation Night, and the first 500 fans at the game will receive player posters that the Mad Ants will autograph after the game. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

Stay tuned to Pacers.com for continued updates on the Mad Ants, and make sure to check out Pacers.com/MadAntsTV » to watch Mad Ants games free online.