LocalSportsJournal.com
The West Michigan Lake Hawks came up short twice over the weekend while playing ABA road games with a very small roster.
The undermanned Lake Hawks suited up with just six players, after losing several who accepted roles on overseas professional teams.
On Saturday the Lake Hawks fell to the LaCrosse Showtime in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, 97-86.
West Michigan trailed 24-21 after the first quarter, 48-41 at the half, and 79-63 at the end of three quarters.
Deontae Hudson paced West Michigan with 22 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. Xavier Fletcher added 19 points, eight steals and five assists while Otis Smith recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Terry Walker Jr. chipped in 11 points and Marquis Brewer added 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Lake Hawks.
Things were a lot closer in Chicago on Saturday, but the Lake Hawks still fell to the Windy City Groove 112-109.
The Lake Hawks trailed 33-25 after one quarter, 63-61 at halftime and 97-80 after three quarters. But they fought back hard and tied the game 109-109 with less than 40 seconds left in the game.
The Groove hit a triple as the clock wound down to take their final lead. West Michigan’s Terry Walker launched a three-point attempt from the corner at the buzzer, but it went in and out and the Lake Hawks fell just short.
Hudson led the Lake Hawks again with 34 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Fletcher was also outstanding with 29 points, 12 rebounds and five steals, Anthony McDaniel finished with 20 points, and Smith totaled 13 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lake Hawks are now 8-5 on the season.
