In the toughest game of the year so far, the Maranatha Mustangs came up short against the unbeaten FFAI Defenders at a game played at United Community. Defenders Coach Ray Basser said that the Maranatha game was the second closest game of the season for their team, “We won our first game by one point against Mount Pleasant, but beat them by over 40 when they came here. The next closest game we have had this year was with Maranatha.” Busser said that FFAI stands for Fellowship For Athletes, Inc.
The first period was an explosion of offense and found Maranatha leading 17-15. The lead changed hands a number of times and at the 5:00 marker in the 3rd period Maranatha still led 29-26.
With six minutes left in the game, the score was knotted at 37-37, but then the Defenders began to pull away. Maranatha pulled within four points late when Zach Sloter hit a free throw and Ian Nichols stole the ball on an inbound and scored. But catching up became even more difficult when Maranatha’s two leading scorers fouled out.
Maranatha’s balanced scoring included Ian Nichols’ eight points, Steven Wilson with five, and Zach Sloter and Matt Bruce with three each. Leading rebounders were Zach Sloter with six and Ian Nichols with four.
Steven Wilson hits for three.
Michael Carney drives in for two.
Ian Nichols hits a three-point shot against the Defenders.