RayJ Dennis Goes for 29 Points as Mad Ants Fall to Skyhawks
By Indiana Mad Ants Staff /February 11, 2025
COLLEGE PARK, Ga. - The Indiana Mad Ants were on the road Monday night taking on the College Park Skyhawks (Atlanta Hawks affiliate). In a game where they trailed by as many as 27 points, the Mad Ants fought back in the fourth quarter to make it a much closer game. Some threes from Keisei Tominaga mixed with some stingy resulted in Indiana losing by just eight points. The final score was 121-113.
The Mad Ants had two-way guards RayJ Dennis and Quenton Jackson active for Monday’s game. On the first possession of the game, Jackson limped off the floor after a collision with one of the Skyhawks players. Following a timeout, Obadiah Noel entered as his replacement.
Cameron McGriff scored the first points of the night for Indiana. On the second possession of the game, McGriff knocked down a mid-range jumper. Dennis scored his first points nearly a minute later.
Jackson checked back into the game four minutes later. The Mad Ants trailed 14-8 halfway through the first quarter.
Trailing 25-19 with under 1:30 to go in the quarter, Dennis cut into the deficit with a three-pointer. On the next possession, Noel bullied his way into the paint and made a layup while drawing a foul. The Maryland native missed the and-one-free throw attempt. Jackson scored on the following possession with an off-hand layup. With time winding down in the quarter, De’Vion Harmon drove through the lane for a layup. Indiana trailed 29-28 after the first quarter. Jackson led the team with nine points.
Jackson scored the first points for the Mad Ants in the second quarter. The California native laid it in between multiple defenders. Ishmael Lane drew a foul on the next possession. The Northwestern State alum converted the one-for-two free throw attempt.
With 6:30 remaining in the first half, Indiana trailed College Park 46-38. Noel made it a six-point game after a transition layup.
In the final minutes of the first half, Dennis added to his point total with a running layup. 90 seconds later, Noel was left open and drained a three-pointer. Down to 30 seconds remaining, Dennis drove the lane and made a close-range floater. At the end of the first half, the Mad Ants trailed the Skyhawks 69-51. Dennis led all scorers with 15 points at the break.
McGriff scored the first points of the half. After being banged up in the second quarter, the Oklahoma State alum drained a corner three. McGriff knocked down another three-pointer on the next possession.
Indiana opened the quarter on a 15-4 to bring the deficit to seven points. However, the Mad Ants went on a scoring drought. With 4:50 remaining in the quarter, the Mad Ants trailed 86-66.
Down to 1:30 remaining in the quarter, Noel added to his point total with a contested field goal and converted the and-one free throw. At the end of the third quarter, Indiana trailed College Park 103-76. Dennis led the Mad Ants with 19 points through three quarters.
Dennis scored the Mad Ants first points in the fourth quarter. The Illinois native scored with a left-handed layup. He scored on the next possession with a three-pointer. On the play, Dakota Mathias recorded an offensive rebound leading to Dennis’ bucket.
With a little over six minutes to go in regulation, McGriff knocked down a three-pointer giving him 16 points on the night. The Mad Ants trailed 116-95 following the field goal.
Indiana fought back in the final minutes of the game and cut it to an 8-point game. Keisei Tominaga knocked down three three-pointers to help decrease the deficit. After trailing by as much as 27, the Mad Ants lost to College Park 121-113.
Notes
Starting Five
The Indiana Mad Ants face the Skyhawks again on Wednesday, February 12th at 7:00 p.m. ET. The road trip concludes on Thursday, February 13th when the Mad Ants take on the Birmingham Squadron (New Orleans Pelicans affiliate). Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET. The next home game for the Mad Ants will be Thursday, February 20th against the Maine Celtics.
*****
The Indiana Mad Ants are the G League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers. The franchise is currently playing in its 18th season dating back to 2007-2008. The Mad Ants have been a part of Pacers Sports and Entertainment since 2015. The club plays their home games at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse located at 125 South Pennsylvania Street in downtown Indianapolis. Beginning next season, the Mad Ants will play in Noblesville at The Arena at Innovation Mile. Purchase Mad Ants tickets here or visit the Gainbridge Fieldhouse Box Office.