The Enid Outlaws ended the eight-game winning streak for the Shreveport Mavericks with a 139-126 win at the Gold Dome on Saturday night. The win moved Enid into first place at 18-3 and Shreveport moved to second at 18-4. The loss for the Mavericks’ hope to tie the Central Division in their final games of the season. It’s not going to be easy as they will have to win over two playoff-bound teams on the road in fourth-place Potawatomi Fire (14-5) on Friday and a rematch with Enid.
Paul Harrison netted 26 points for the Mavericks with 7 rebounds including 5 defensive rebounds. Harrison also shot an impressive 12 for 16 (75%) from the field. Paul Parks also scored 26 points with 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Alanie Moore scored 18 with 6 assists. Patrick Meyers bucketed 16 points with 7 assists. Tyrone Jordan added 15 points and shot 40 percent from beyond the arc.
The Outlaws and Mavericks both shot lights out as Mavericks shot 56.3% to Enid’s 60%. One key factor was beyond the arc where Shreveport 29.6% to Enid shooting 13 for 31 (41.9%)
The top two teams in the Central Division would not pull too far from each other in the first quarter. Enid opened with a 5-0 run in the first two scores. Shreveport stopped the run with Tyrone Jordan’s first of three 3-pointers in the first quarter. The Outlaws maintained the lead until 8:31 at 12-9. Shreveport went to town with Jordan scoring two more beyond the arc and Paul Harrison handling business in the paint. Shreveport went on an 8-0 run and pushed their lead to 17-12. The two teams traded shots for the next three minutes until a display of free-throw shooting took place. Alanie Moore was fouled shooting a three and nailed all three free throws. Enid kept drawing the “and-1”’s. Shreveport took the slim 38-34 first-quarter lead. Tyrone Jordan and Alanie Moore each had 9 points for the Mavericks in the first quarter.
The Outlaws closed the gap quickly in the second quarter as they bombed seven 3-pointers in the second quarter. Also, eight lead changes occurred in the second quarter. Enid tied the game in the first two minutes as Daylon Guy nailed a three followed by another basket for the short early run. Just under a minute later, Shreveport found their groove again as Harrison pushed in another basket followed by Park’s goal. Jordan drove the lane and drew the foul. The Outlaw’s Trent Jones hit a three to attempt to stop the momentum. No chance as another basket by Jordan followed by a three from Meyers had given the Mavericks their biggest lead at 54-46 thanks to the 12-3 run. Enid came back with their own 9-2 run and brought the game back to within two at 56-55 with 5:13 remaining in the half. Back and forth between the two until a three by Darin Johnson followed by a three by basket by Kierra Moore tied the game at 60-60 with 3:36 remaining in the half. For the remainder of the half, the lead changed five more times. Enid took a 72-70 halftime lead. Paul Parks led the quarter with 9 points. Tyrone Jordan led the Mavericks with 15 at the half.
Enid opened the second half with a 5-0 run to push their lead to 77-70. That small push would hold the lead for the third. Shreveport had no major runs and only one three in the third quarter. The Outlaws capitalized on the opportunity. Starting at 7:18 remaining, Enid went on a 13-2 run topped off by a three from Darin Johnson. The Outlaws had jumped out to a 97-81 lead. Enid held on to the double-digit lead to the end of the third at 107-94. Alanie Moore and AJ Cheeseman were the top scorers in the third with 6 points. Paul Parks and Pauls Harrison held 16 points in the game at the end of the third.
Enid had built an 18-point lead at 116-98 with 10:25 left remaining in the game. The Mavericks made a last gasp run. The Mavericks fed Paul Harrison and he powered to the goal for eight points in the next four minutes. Parks, McIntyre, and Myers added points in the 15-2 run to close the gap to 118-113 with 6:14 left. For the next two minutes, the two traded baskets to 123-117. The Outlaws busted out a quick 6 points to push out to the 129-117. Enid held on for the 139-126 win.
Coach Tucker in his daily Coaches Notes on Facebook said that following the loss
“COACH T NOTE: ✍️ As I look at where we are today I like our position. First of all, the Division Champion is crowned via the Playoffs. ALL we are playing for right now is seeding. It really makes no difference to me where we are in that seeding as long as we’re in, which we have clinched already. We started the Season 3-2 with 2 losses the first week of the Season. Since then We’ve Won 15 of 17 games with a 7 & 8 game Winning Streaks. That puts us at 18-4 on the season (one of the League’s Best Records). We also rank #2 in the League’s Power Ranking. I will take that any Season. Additionally, the loss last night may have given us the fuel to Win It All. I think again it opened our eyes that We have to be better. Last night’s loss may have been a Blessing. WE WILL NOT DWELL ON IT – OUR FOCUS WILL BE ON GETTING BETTER!
Every Professional Team gets beat at some point – It’s the Adjustments You make to overcome that matter!
AND I HAVE DONE THAT MANY TIMES…..”
The last weekend of The Basketball League regular season starts on Friday at Potawatomi and ends with the road clash at Enid possibly for the top seed in the Central Division playoff on the line.
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