Bajan pro baller Ward named Player of the Game

Barbados’ Hason Ward was named Player of the Game, but in a losing cause, as the Maine Celtics lost to the Wisconsin Herd in overtime, 117-115 on Thursday night in the NBA G League. Ward tallied 18 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, and two blocked shots. He was 7-9 from the field, as the former Iowa State forward had his first professional double-double.

Thursday night’s game was the first of two in a back-to-back date with the Herd. Wisconsin was 0-8 in back-to-back games this season before the night’s victory.

Maine played without five players in their lineup, but the gritty effort by the Celtics came up just short.
JD Davison and Baylor Scheierman each led Maine with 26 points and five assists.

Ward provided a massive boost off the bench, with his best game as a first-year professional.
Wisconsin boasted plenty of NBA talent in Thursday’s game, with three players (Chris Livingston, Tyler Smith, and AJ Johnson) all suiting up on assignment from the Milwaukee Bucks, in addition to twoway player Liam Robbins.

Henry Ellenson hit the game-winner after coming off the bench to lead the Herd with a game-high 28 points on 10-17 shooting from the field. Five other Wisconsin players scored in double figures as the Herd’s bench outscored Maine’s 70-37.
Maine scored 10 points off seven firstquarter turnovers to help earn a 29-26 advantage to start the second quarter.
Celtics grew their lead to six at the start of the second after Ward powered through the contact on a thunderous, putback slam.

It was part of a productive quarter for the big man, who scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds in the quarter. The Herd continued to apply pressure, and took their first lead of the second quarter at the 8:06 mark, 37-36. Both teams struggled to create separation, until Maine finished the first half on a 7-0 run to lead the Herd 59-52 at the break.

The third quarter was described by runs from both teams. Davison scored five points in the first two minutes to grow the lead to 12. Wisconsin had a 7-0 run of their own to come within four. Eventually, the Herd took their first lead of the second half, 73-72 with less than five minutes to go in the quarter.

The dunk contest continued at the Expo as Johnson threw down a tomahawk for Wisconsin, before Ward elevated for another jaw-dropping alley-oop. Maine made the final run of the third to match their largest lead of the game, 91-79 entering the fourth quarter. A see-saw final frame saw the game tied at 109 after four.

Playing to a target score of 116, the Herd took a 113-110 lead through Ellenson. Maine answered on the next possession. After three consecutive stops on defense, Davison split a trip to the free throw line to level the score at 113-113. Ellenson scored again, and Davison tied it at 115 from the line. A final Ellenson fadeaway was good as Wisconsin rallied from 12 points down to steal an overtime win in the Expo 117- 115. (TF)