Yellow Jackets Make it Three in a Row With Win Over Bulldogs

It was an abnormal night of basketball for the Steel City Yellow Jackets but they were able to pick up their third win in a row defeating the Salsbury Bulldogs 135-117. The win improved the Yellow Jackets to 10-7 on the year as they look to fight for a playoff spot.

It was not your stereotypical night of basketball for the Steel City Yellow Jackets at the Neighborhood Academy. Their game against the Salsbury Bulldogs was scheduled to begin at 8:30 but, due to traffic and scheduling conflicts, the bulldogs showed up at 9:30. Too make matters worse they only had three players on their team so the Yellow Jackets had to give up three of their players for the contest.

However, through all of the adversity the Steel City Yellow Jackets were still able to pick up their third win in a row as they beat the bulldogs 135-117. Since the Bulldogs only had three eligible players Khari Bess, Bobby Swartwout, and newest Yellow Jacket Alonzo Murphy joined the bulldogs for the contest. This move ended up helping both parties as the bulldogs had enough players to play the game and some of the Yellow Jackets were able to shine in this game.

After all of the confusion was sorted out it was time to get to basketball and the Yellow Jackets turned on the offense early as they have been doing for the last couple of weeks. Antonio Reddic and Dre Anthony would lead the charge as Anthony hit two big three point shots and Reddic was consistent putting up nine in the quarter. With the help of these two guys the Yellow Jackets would lead 38-28 after quarter number one.

The Bulldogs were able to ignite an offensive attack of their own in the second quarter as they scored 39 points in the quarter. They were lead by one of the Yellow Jacket fill-ins as Khari Bess hit six three-point-shots on his way to 22 total points in the quarter. This would cut the Jackets lead to 72-67 as the teams headed for the locker room.

Juan Franklin would lead the Yellow Jackets in scoring at the half with 13 points on the night, all of which were scored in the second quarter of play. He was followed by BillyDee Williams, 11 points, and Reddic and Isaiah Prince who each had nine points on the night. For the Bulldogs, Khari Bess would be the leading scorer with 24 points in the first half. He was followed by Chris Murry, 13 points, and Bobby Swartwout, 11 points.

After half time, the two teams went back and forth offensively throughout the quarter. Both teams used the three point shot to their advantage as the Yellow Jackets would hit six in the quarter and the Bulldogs would hit four. Lawrence Baker hit three of those six three point shots and lead the Yellow Jackets to a game high 44 points in the quarter and put the Yellow Jackets comfortably ahead of the Bulldogs 116-91 with one quarter to play.

The Bulldogs would put up a fight at the end as Chris Murray went on a hit streak from the field and scored 21 points in the quarter, including five three point shots. However, it would not be enough as the Yellow Jackets would close this one out with a dunk by BillyDee Williams to seal the victory and give the Jackets the 135-117 victory.

BillyDee Williams would lead the Yellow Jackets in scoring on the night with a team high 26 points. He was followed by Antonio Reddic, 21 points, and Juan Franklin, 19 points. For the Bulldogs it would be Chris Murray ruling the day with his 39 point effort, thanks in large part to his fourth quarter effort. He was followed by Khari Bess, 31 points, and Donny Throton, 25 points.

The win is the Yellow Jackets third in a row and improved their record to 10-7 on the season. They will be back to full strength for their game tonight at 8:30 p.m. and will look to make it four in a row when they return to the Neighborhood Academy.

Steel City Player of the Game: BillyDee Williams

BillyDee Williams showed a lot of flash on the court tonight dunking the ball several times and scoring a team high 26 points and it was enough to earn him Steel City Player of the Game. Williams has made a huge impact on this team since joining in early January and has been a big part of this three game winning streak. Williams gives the Yellow Jackets versatility as both a big man and a shooter and it has greatly helped their offensive attack.

Up Next:

The Steel City Yellow Jackets are back in action tonight at 8:30 p.m. at the Neighborhood Academy. With only three home games remaining on the 2016/2017 regular season schedule, it's time to get out and support your Steel City Yellow Jackets as they make a final push for the playoffs. Tickets are ten dollars for adults and five dollars for students. Come on out to the Neighborhood Academy and Catch the Buzz.