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.When: 7 p.m. today
Where: Tulio Arena, Erie, Pa.
Records: Mad Ants 9-10, Erie 10-6
Web:
Mad Ants leaders: Ron Howard (20 ppg); Luke Harangody (13.4 rpg); Howard (4.6 apg)
Erie leaders: D.J. Kennedy (18.7 ppg); Kennedy ( 8 rpg) Kennedy (5.3 apg)
Key matchup: Harangody has looked just like he did when he starred at Notre Dame since joining the Ants. The 6-foot-8 forward has averaged 18.8 points and 13.4 rebounds in five games with Fort Wayne. The Bayhawks have their own do-everything forward in the 6-6 Kennedy, who went to St. John’s. These former Big East opponents could decide tonight’s game.
The skinny: The Ants have won their last six games after winning two in the D-League Showcase in Reno, Nev., this week. Fort Wayne defeated Rio Grande Valley 116-97 Wednesday and Tulsa 121-115 Thursday. … Erie handed Fort Wayne a 109-100 loss in the teams’ season opener Nov. 23, but the Bayhawks lost the last meeting 107-83 Dec. 29.
