JOURNAL SPORTS
The defending league champion Shreveport Mavericks suffered through an uncharacteristic off night shooting the ball and dropped their The Basketball League season opener to Potawatomi 128-89 Wednesday night at the Centenary Gold Dome.
The Fire outscored the Mavs 22-5 the last six minutes of the second quarter to break open a tight game and take a 74-48 lead into the halftime break. Potawatomi hit a blistering 71 percent compared to Shreveport’s 40 percent the first 24 minutes of the game.
Potawatomi blew the game wide open in the third quarter, outscoring Shreveport 32-17 to take a 106-61 lead into the fourth quarter.
Shreveport finished the game shooting a paltry 35 percent (32-of-91) and made just 10-of-46 (22 percent) from 3-point range. Paul Parks led the Mavericks with 23 points, 21 of those coming in the first half. Point guard PJ Meyers and Jeff Boyd both tallied 13 points. Tim Quarterman added 10 points and along with Meyers led the team with three assists.
Potawatomi shot 57 percent for the game (49-of-86) and hit 14-of-31 from 3-point range for 45 percent. The Fire spread the scoring around with seven players hitting in double figures. Lyle Hexom led the way with 19 points, Terry Maston had 17 points and 15 rebounds, Deshawn Munson 15 points and 9 assists, Chuck Guy scored 16 points and had eight assists.
Shreveport will return to action on Friday at the Dome when it hosts the Enid Outlaws. Tipoff for that game will be at 7:05 p.m.
