The Erie Bayhawks faced off against their G-League Eastern Conference Finals opponent Mississauga Raptors 905 Friday night as the number three seed in the Eastern Conference. As part of their long playoff run, the Bayhawks were coming off a win against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the conference semifinal matchup just a game prior. With this being a conference finals game, it was important to come out to a good start, and the Bayhawks players knew it. Jeremiah Hollowell got Erie off to a fast start with a couple of quick jump shots, pushing erie to a 15-6 lead early in the first quarter.

Big men like Raphiael Putney were able to maintain the game speed by securing the paint for the Bayhawks early on. He did a good job of not letting the Raptors get out into the open court, as they have been known to do this season. Bayhawks big man Jeremy Evans tried to assist Putney on locking down the inside defense. Despite this, the Raptors were able to take control of the offensive glass, collecting 14 in the game. Going into the half, the Bayhawks held a six-point lead as guard Josh Magette was able to net a few buckets heading into the half.

Coming out in the second half, it was a struggle in the paint for both teams. The Bayhawks tried to expose the Raptors’ smaller center Kennedy Meeks in the paint. The Raptors, however, would counter that with some good play from guard Aaron Best. Best was able to get along the perimeter and hit a couple clutch three point baskets in the third. The Raptors roster looked fluent however with nice play from their seven-footer Shavon Thompson, as he was able to change the momentum in the third with his vertical stature. It seemed erie had no answer for the center.

Good play from guard John Gillon helped the Bayhawks cut their deficit at the end of the third. The fourth quarter would be the decisive quarter in this game, as that quarter did not work out in the Bayhawks’ favor. Great defense by the Raptors would prove to have the Bayhawks shaken, with multiple turnovers as the end result. Andrew White and Tyler Cavanaugh seemed to be on a deserted island, as they seem ineffective in the final quarter. The Raptors would go on to defeat Erie 118-106. They will go on to play the Austin Spurs in the G-League Finals.

Bayhawks and Bayhawks fans should hold their heads high. It was an impressive season by the Bayhawks, who fell just short of reaching the G-League Finals for the first time in the team’s history. Now, though, they will have to pick up where they left off next season. Fans are appreciative of the winning season after a few rough seasons prior, and hopefully Erie has more success in their future.