Austin, TX – The reigning ABA National Champion Jacksonville Giants will make another return to the ABA Final 4. The Giants, following a strong second half showing, routed Pittsburg’s Steel City Yellow Jackets, 125-103, on Wednesday night in Austin, Texas.
“After a sloppy first half of basketball we picked it up the first six minutes of the second half,” said Giants head coach Jerry Williams. “I’m very pleased with our overall effort with this being our first game in over a month.”
The Giants will face the winner of tomorrows game between the, Maryland based, DMV Warriors and the San Diego Kings. Jacksonville is looking to become the first ABA franchise to win three consecutive ABA National Championships. The Giants, as a franchise, have won four total Championships.
“It was a great hard fought game,” said assistant coach Marcus Thomas. “We responded well to adversity. Its a great way to start a playoff run.”
The Giants were in a slugfest with a gritty Yellow Jacket team. Both teams were tied 30-30 heading into the second quarter and the Giants only had a slim 58-52 halftime lead. Pittsburg was able to out force several Giants turnovers, keeping the game close. Yellow Jacket guard Tone Reddic was very tough in the contest. Reddic led the Jackets with 40 points on the evening.
The Giants quickly made things happen in the second half, taking an 88-77 lead going into the fourth quarter before cruising to an over twenty point win. Reigning ABA MVP and point guard Maurice Mickens came up big on the offensive side of the ball for Jacksonville. Mickens had a team high 36 points in the game.
“Great win!” said Mickens. “Great way to start our playoff run. We played together and finished the game.”
Six total Giants player, including Mickens, scored in double digits. Dylon Cormier (18points), Bernard Nugent (17 points), Jermaine Bell (16 points), Robert Hornsby (15 points), and Calvin Warner (10 points) all rounded out the top scorers for Jacksonville.
