For the first time in their six-year history as a member of the NBA Development League, the Mad Ants not only had a winning regular season record (27-23), but also qualified for the playoffs as the No. 6 seed.FORT WAYNE – When: 5 p.m. today
Where: Memorial Coliseum
Records: Mad Ants 0-1, Maine 1-0
Web cast:
Mad Ants leaders: Ron Howard (27 points), Miles Plumlee (12 rebounds), Walker Russell Jr. (6 assists)
Maine leaders: Kris Joseph (28 points), Joseph, Christopher Ayer (8 rebounds), Shelvin Mack (4 assists)
Key matchup: Joseph and Chris Wright, who had 24 points in Maine’s 123-115 victory over Canton, provide a solid one-two scoring punch for the Red Claws. The Ants, who were torched in the backcourt in their season opener, didn’t have to face that kind of frontcourt productivity. Maine brings in a big body in former Syracuse center Fab Melo. The 7-footer scored two points in Maine’s opener.
The skinny: The Ants fell behind by 23 points in the third quarter against Erie in the 109-100 season-opening loss Friday, then rallied to get within six points late. The Mad Ants made the comeback when they went to a smaller lineup, led by Howard’s 27 points. Maine brings in former Butler guard Shelvin Mack.
