Skyhawks Outlast Raptors 905 in 132–129 Thriller to Open Two-Game Series
The College Park Skyhawks delivered one of their most exciting performances of the season Tuesday night, holding off Raptors 905 for a thrilling 132–129 victory in front of the home crowd in College Park, Georgia.
The game had everything — fast breaks, clutch shots, momentum swings and standout performances from several rising stars.
At the center of it all was rookie forward Basheer Jihad, who continued his scoring tear with a team-high 25 points. The Detroit native added nine rebounds, four assists and two steals, stuffing the stat sheet and energizing the Skyhawks throughout the night.
Jihad has been on an incredible run, scoring at least 20 points in four straight games while averaging 25.5 points and 8.8 rebounds during that stretch.
Young Stars Lead the Way
Another big performance came from Asa Newell, who recorded the second double-double of his Skyhawks stint. The rookie forward finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds in a strong all-around showing while on assignment from the Atlanta Hawks.
Meanwhile, RayJ Dennis continued to prove why he has been one of the most dynamic guards in the G League this season. Dennis tallied 22 points and 10 assists for his fourth straight double-double and his 13th in just 20 games with College Park.
Entering the matchup, Dennis ranked among the league leaders — first in assists, first in steals and eighth in scoring.
Fast Start for College Park
The Skyhawks came out firing early.
Behind an explosive start from Jihad, who poured in 11 points in the opening quarter, College Park jumped out to a quick 16–7 lead. The offense flowed smoothly as the Skyhawks pushed the tempo and attacked the rim.
But Raptors 905 didn’t go away quietly. The visitors chipped away at the lead and trimmed the deficit to 30–29 by the end of the first quarter.
Momentum Swings Before Halftime
The second quarter belonged to Raptors 905 for a stretch.
They found their rhythm offensively and surged ahead, building an eight-point lead with less than four minutes remaining in the half. Just when it looked like the momentum had shifted, the Skyhawks answered with a burst of energy.
College Park closed the half on a 16–7 run, highlighted by a deep three-pointer from Dennis that splashed through the net as the buzzer approached. The shot sent the Skyhawks into halftime with a narrow 64–63 lead and plenty of momentum.
Back-and-Forth Battle in the Third
The third quarter turned into a heavyweight fight.
Both teams traded baskets at a blistering pace, with neither side able to create much separation. Every run was answered with another shot, another drive, another big play.
Raptors 905 managed to edge ahead slightly and entered the fourth quarter with a 95–93 lead, setting up a dramatic final period.
Skyhawks Take Control Late
College Park came out aggressive in the fourth quarter and quickly grabbed control of the game.
The Skyhawks surged ahead 108–101, igniting the crowd and forcing Raptors 905 to scramble defensively. But the visitors responded once again, tying the game at 120–120 with just under three minutes remaining.
That’s when the Skyhawks delivered the decisive stretch.
A clutch three-pointer from MJ Walker sparked the run, while Jihad attacked the basket for two strong finishes at the rim to stretch the lead to eight.
Raptors 905 tried to claw back in the closing moments. A midrange jumper from Tyreke Key and a three-pointer from AJ Hoggard cut the deficit to a single possession with 38 seconds left.
But College Park kept its composure.
Free throws from Isiah Moore and Walker, along with two critical defensive stops, sealed the 132–129 victory.
Raptors 905 Standouts
Raptors 905 were led by A.J. Lawson, who erupted for a game-high 28 points while knocking down six three-pointers. Alijah Martin also delivered a strong performance with 21 points and six assists.
What’s Next
The two teams will run it back in a rematch when the Skyhawks host Raptors 905 again for Throwback Thursday.
After that, College Park heads out on the road for a three-game trip that includes matchups against the Capital City Go-Go, Noblesville Boom and Windy City Bulls.
If Tuesday night’s thriller was any indication, the Skyhawks are bringing plenty of energy into the next matchup.
