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.The Mad Ants ended a stretch of nine consecutive games on the road with a 111-78 loss to the Erie BayHawks in Erie, Pa., on Sunday.
The Ants (12-14) won their first four games away from home but lost four of their last five, including Sunday.
Fort Wayne returns to Memorial Coliseum on Thursday when it faces Maine (17-10), co-leader of the NBA D-League East Division.
It will be the first home game since a 118-90 victory over Santa Cruz on Jan. 5.
Luke Harangody let the Ants with 23 points and 11 rebounds Sunday, and point guard Anthony Harris added 11 points.
Starting point guard Ron Howard, who suffered a knee injury three minutes into the Ants’ game at Bakersfield, Calif., did not play Sunday. It was the fourth consecutive game in which Howard, the team’s second-leading scorer with an 18.2 average, has sat out. His playing status remains day-to-day.
