The Steel City Yellow Jackets went on the road yesterday and came out victorious defeating the WNY Thundersnow by the final score of 135-107. The win gave the Yellow Jackets a sweep of this weekend's games and improved their record to 9-7 on the year going into two home games this weekend.
The Steel City Yellow Jackets picked up a big win on Saturday night when they rolled over the Imperial National Crusaders 153-116 and were looking to build on that momentum in yesterday's game. In order to complete the weekend sweep, they would have to go on the road and face the WNY Thundersnow in Niagara Falls, New York. The road has not been a good place for the Yellow Jackets this season as coming into Sunday's contest they only had a record of 2-4 on the road.
However, they were able to put it all together on the court yesterday and come up with a big 135-107 victory over the Thundersnow giving them the sweep of their weekend contests. The number 25 team in the country improved to 9-7 on the season and they are coming into a weekend where they have two games at home, a place where they have played very well this season with a record of 6-3.
Just as they did on Saturday night, the Yellow Jackets would take control of this game early on and it would be helped by Antonio Reddic's 10 point attack in the first quarter. The Yellow Jackets were hitting the three point shots early as well collecting five in the first quarter, including two from Johnathan Logan, and it helped them score over 30 points for the fifth straight quarter as they took a 31-25 lead after one.
The classic spread it out offensive attack surfaced for the Yellow Jackets in the second quarter as seven Yellow Jackets got on the board including six guys from the bench. It would be Jason Arrington leading the Yellow Jackets in the second quarter with his seven point attack and pacing the Yellow Jackets for a 36 point second quarter. The Yellow Jacket's defense would flex it's muscles in the second quarter as well holding the opposition to under 18 points and no one on the Thundersnow would be able to score more than four points in the quarter.
The defensive effort allowed the Yellow Jackets to go in the locker room with a commanding 24 point lead as it was Yellow Jackets 67, Thundersnow 43. Antonio Reddic would continue his offensive hot streak leading the Yellow Jackets at the break with his 17 points on the day. He would be followed by Jason Arrington and Khari Bess who each had nine points on the night. For the Thundersnow, it would be Jermaine Sharpe leading the way with 16 points. He would be followed by Anthony Greene and Johnny Marsh who each had six points on the night.
The second half featured continued domination by the Yellow Jackets as they continued to show why they were ranked the number 25 team in the country coming into this one as they scored 31 points in the third quarter to make it seven straight quarters where they scored over 30 points. The three point shots were working for Isaiah Prince as he drained three in the quarter on his way to 11 points. Bobby Swartwout and Luke Kochka were also able to add three point shots in the quarter and the Yellow Jackets would lead 98-67 heading into the final quarter of play.
The fourth quarter would be the highest scoring on the night for the Yellow Jackets as they would put up 37 points and once again the Yellow Jackets would get big contributions from the bench. Juan Franklin put up 21 points in the fourth quarter to all but secure the Yellow Jacket's victory. Coach Ace Pippens had a goal set of holding the opposition under 100 points and the Yellow Jackets came within seven points of doing just that, but the Thundersnow would put up a game high 40 in the quarter. The Yellow Jackets were happy, however, as they walked away with a 135-107 victory and completed the weekend sweep.
Juan Franklin would lead the Yellow Jackets in scoring on the night coming off the bench to put up a game high 26 points. He was followed by Antonio Reddic, 25 points, and Isaiah Prince, 16 points. For the Thundersnow, it would be Johnny Marsh leading the way thanks to a 22 point fourth quarter that put his total to 34 on the day. He was followed by Isaiah Jefferson, 21 points, and Jermaine Sharpe, 19 points.
The win gave the Yellow Jackets a sweep of their weekend games and improved their record to 9-7 on the season. One streak would continue for the Yellow Jackets and another would stop as they made it eight straight quarters in which the team has scored 30 or more points, but Antonio Reddic would have his nine game streak of scoring 30 or more points on the night put to an end. However, the Yellow Jackets now have momentum on their side for the late playoff push as they play two games at home this weekend, where they have played very well all season long.
Steel City Player of the Game: Juan Franklin
The Steel City Yellow Jackets had a strong showing from their bench yesterday as collectively they were able to score 75 points on the night. Juan Franklin lead that crew, and the team, with 26 points on the day and it was enough to earn him the Steel City Player of the Game. Franklin also notched two assists, three rebounds, and two steals on the day. The Alabama native has been productive as the sixth man off the bench for most of the season and he came up big today when he was needed.
Up Next:
The Steel City Yellow Jackets return home on Friday February 3rd when they take on the Buffalo Blue Hawks at the Neighborhood Academy located at 709 N Aiken Avenue in Pittsburgh's East Liberty community. Tickets are ten dollars for adults and five dollars for students. With only four home games left on the regular season schedule, come support the Yellow Jackets as they make a late season playoff push. Catch the Buzz!
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