The College Park Skyhawks made their first home game of the season one to remember.
Playing in front of a sold-out crowd at Gateway Center Arena, College Park defeated Raptors 905, 128-117, to secure its first victory of the season and give its home fans plenty to celebrate.
The Skyhawks had to overcome an early deficit and a back-and-forth third quarter, but a strong fourth-quarter finish helped them pull away. Keon Johnson led the way with a franchise-record performance, while Devon Higgs delivered a career night of his own.
Keon Johnson Delivers a Record-Setting Performance
Johnson wasted no time making his mark on the season.
The fifth-year guard finished with 38 points, five rebounds and four assists in 36 minutes. His scoring total established a Tip-Off Tournament career high and set a new Skyhawks franchise record for the most points scored in a season opener.
Johnson's performance gave College Park the offensive spark it needed, particularly as the team worked to recover from an early double-digit deficit.
Higgs provided another major boost, recording a career-high 28 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a career-best six steals in 35 minutes. He was remarkably efficient from the floor, connecting on nine of his 10 field-goal attempts.
Higgs also joined a select group in franchise history. He became just the fourth Skyhawks player to record at least 25 points, five rebounds and five steals in a single game, joining Kobe Johnson, Charlie Brown Jr. and Jordan Silbert.
The production did not stop there.
Atlanta Hawks two-way guard RayJ Dennis recorded his first double-double of the season with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Kobe Johnson also reached double-double territory, finishing with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Four players reaching double figures gave College Park the offensive balance it needed to secure the win.
Skyhawks Overcome Early Deficit in Back-and-Forth Battle
Raptors 905 initially controlled the momentum, jumping out to an 18-6 lead during the opening seven minutes. Tyreke Key led the early charge, helping 905 close the first quarter with a 35-25 advantage.
College Park answered in the second.
The Skyhawks opened the period with a 10-2 run, beginning their climb back into the game. Johnson contributed 12 points in the quarter, while Dennis delivered a three-pointer at the buzzer to put College Park in front, 67-66, at halftime.
Neither team found much separation after the break.
The third quarter featured seven lead changes as both sides traded baskets. Raptors 905 edged College Park 32-30 during the period, taking a narrow 98-97 lead into the final 12 minutes.
That set up a fourth quarter in which the Skyhawks needed to make their opportunities count.
College Park Closes Strong to Secure First Victory
The Skyhawks found their advantage at the free-throw line when it mattered most.
College Park converted seven of its eight attempts from the charity stripe in the final quarter, using those opportunities to maintain control and create separation. The Skyhawks outscored Raptors 905, 31-19, in the period to turn a one-point deficit into an 11-point victory.
For a team playing its first home game of the season, the response was significant. College Park showed it could absorb an early run, regain control and finish when the game was on the line.
Key paced Raptors 905 with 28 points, five rebounds and two assists in 35 minutes. Tyson Degenhart and AJ Hoggard added 15 points apiece, combining for eight assists.
But the night belonged to College Park, where Johnson's historic scoring performance and Higgs' career-best effort helped deliver a sold-out home-opening win.
What's Next for the Skyhawks?
College Park will have another opportunity to build momentum at home when it welcomes Raptors 905 back to Gateway Center Arena on Sunday, Nov. 8, for the first Kids Day game of the season. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
The Skyhawks will then host the Long Island Nets on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m.
After opening the season with a win in front of a packed house, College Park will look to carry that energy into its next stretch of games.
Source: College Park Skyhawks
