Force stay alive for playoffs, hold off Groove
35 by Douglas not enough for Windy City
March 22, 2015
CHICAGO - The fourth and final installment of the Crosstown Showdown turned into a back and forth affair that finally tilted the way of the Chicago Force. A strong fourth quarter by Antoine Ware helped the Force to a 111-103 victory over the Windy City Groove, breaking an eight-game losing streak.
Ware dropped in 13 of his 15 points in the decisive stanza, including some key free throws within the final three minutes. As a team, the Force were 31 of 49 from the foul line. Derrick McDonald led the Force (4-14) with 30 while Erin Pryor and Darius Smith each added 10.
Lavante Douglas led all scorers with 35 points but late misses from the field doomed him and the Groove (3-13) as they missed out on a opportunity to gain a game on the Gateway Steam, who lost earlier in the day to the Bloomington Flex. Deveon Jenkins fouled out with 17 while Kenyon Smith paced with 12.
Windy City is back in action on Wednesday, as they travel to St. Louis to take on the St. Louis RiverSharks, while the Force are idle until Saturday, March 29, when they host St. Louis at Kroc Center.