Jacksonville Giants over Jackson Showboats, 142-100

by Mike Bonts
Last time the Giants and Showboats played Jacksonville came away with a ten point victory in Jackson, Miss.
That wouldn’t be the case Saturday night as Jacksonville improved to 16-0.
The Giants opened on an 11-0 run and never trailed in a 142-100 ABA victory over the Showboats (3-6) before record crowd of 5,290 at the Veterans Memorial Arena.
“We had a great team effort tonight. Brandon Davis came up with some key three pointers in the first half and we were on our way. The Giants opened the game on an 11-0 run and never looked back,” said Jacksonville head coach Kevin Waters.
Davis paced the Giants with 18 points including four three pointers. For the second game in a row Josue Mulambo came off the bench to score 17. Jermaine Bell and Nick Wallery each added 16.
“Malumbo has been a great addition for us. He’s going to be a real asset going into the playoffs and continue to be a force,” noted Waters.
Wallery also helped control the boards with 11 rebounds. Bell had nine and Davis eight.
The Giants led 61-43 at the half.
Jonathan Phelps had 33 and Flawaan Flaggs scored 27 points for the visitors. Both were 4 of 12 from the three point line. The teams scored 25 three pointers between them.
The Showboats didn’t score until the 8:13 mark when Chris Miller sank a three pointer. The teams traded a total of eight baskets from beyond the three point arc in the first period alone.
“The Showboats are a great three point shooting team. They gave us a close game up there, so we knew we had to establish a lead early. Our guys came out with a lot of energy and is translated into that lead,” Waters said.
Jacksonville returns to the court Tuesday night to host the South Florida Gold (5-2) and their new coach J.R. Gamble in Callahan at the West Nassau High School at 7 p.m. The Gold’s only two losses have come against the Giants.