The Indiana Mad Ants clinched a victory in thrilling season finale against the Osceola Magic in a climactic showdown marking the last game of the season. Despite the absence of star players Mac McClung and Trevelin Queen due to rest, the stage was set for yet another electrifying encounter.
The game kicked off with a bang as Chris Walker of the Magic swiftly secured the first bucket with a mid range jay from the free-throw line. However, early turnovers plagued both teams, setting a tense tone for the matchup. Indiana wasted no time showcasing their prowess beyond the arc, with Craig Sword and Kyle Mangas sinking early 3-pointers. As the first quarter unfolded, the Magic found themselves struggling on both ends of the court.
To kick off the second quarter, Daeqwon Plowden emerged as a vital spark off the bench, delivering back-to-back 3-pointers amidst a flurry of long-range possessions from both teams. Despite the Magic’s efforts and a constant battle defensively, they ended the quarter with a narrow 36-32 lead. The second quarter saw a seesaw battle as both teams traded blows, with Jaycee Hillsman and Kevon Harris leading the charge for the Magic. Despite Harris’s stellar shooting performance with 16 at the break, the Mad Ants managed to keep pace tying the game at 63-63 heading into halftime.
The Mad Ants opened the third quarter like mad ants storming out of the gate with a 10-0 run. Jett Howard and Kevon Harris answered back with a barrage of 3-pointers, igniting an excited back-and-forth exchange. However, the Magic found themselves trailing 95-97 going into the final quarter. As tensions mounted in the fourth quarter, the game reached a fever pitch. Osceola’s Jaycee Hillsman’s was ejected after receiving two technical fouls which dealt a detrimental blow to the Magic’s lineup.
Despite a valiant effort from Daeqwon Plowden to narrow the gap with a clutch 3-pointer, crucial turnovers and fouls sealed the Magic’s fate. In the end, Indiana emerged victorious for the second day in a row with a final score of 127-118, clinching a hard-fought win in the season finale.
As the Mad Ants dribbled out the clock, the Osceola Magic were left to reflect on a thrilling end to their campaign. Despite the loss, the Osceola Magic clinched the number one seed with a 22-12 record and will host the Eastern Conference Semifinals Friday, April 5th at home.
