FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Walker Russell hit a fadeaway jumper with two-tenths of a second left to give the Fort Wayne Mad Ants a 103-101 victory over the Maine Red Claws in an NBA Development League game at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
Fort Wayne (10-5) moved into second place in the East Conference, a half-game ahead of idle Erie, while Maine (8-8) remained in fourth place.
Despite a strong shooting performance with six players scoring in double figures, the Red Claws were unable to hold on down the stretch as the Mad Ants closed with a 17-7 run.
After Fort Wayne’s Chris Kramer made a layup and was fouled by Kenny Hayes, Kramer missed the free throw but Darnell Lazare got the rebound and the Mad Ants called a timeout with eight seconds left and the game tied at 101.
Following the inbounds pass, Russell got the ball at the top of the key, dribbled left around a defender and sank his jumper.
After a timeout, the Red Claws tipped in the inbounds pass for a basket that would have tied the game, but it was ruled the ball was not tipped before time expired.
The Red Claws led 75-72 after three quarters and stretched their lead to 10 points 1:54 into the fourth on three consecutive free throws by Matt Janning, who was fouled on a 3-point attempt.
Two free throws by Paul Harris made it 94-84 with 4:19 left.
Maine was led by DeShawn Sims, who had 20 points and eight rebounds. Mario West added 17 points and Hayes 14.
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