EAST ORANGE – Playing their second game in less than 24 hours, the Jersey Express showed no signs of fatigue in defeating the Tri-City (Maryland) Suns 105-97, Sunday at the East Orange Campus High School Gymnasium.

“We did well, especially coming in so early today,” Coach Sandy Smith said. “We were here late last night, came in early, it’s the weekend, they are still grown men, who knows where they were last night. I’m just glad we were able to come in here and get a victory.”

A strong opening quarter spotted the Express (10-3) the early lead as the Suns (3-8) struggled keeping the active Devin Davis (13 rebounds) off the boards and fell behind 30-17 early. The usually high-scoring Jordan Fowler showed a different side of his diverse game. Fowler battled down low and collected 13 rebounds to go with his 11 points.

Entering the fourth quarter with a 21-point lead allowed Coach Smith the opportunity to give her reserves extended play.

“At the end of the game I primarily let guys that normally don’t get minutes play,” Smith said, adding. “They got a chance to show me what they could do, answer the question of whether or not I could trust them in the future, and give them an opportunity to work on things they need to work on.”

One player that took advantage of their opportunity was Derrick Johnson. Johnson, who coaches the East Orange Campus High School girls’ team, scored 13 points in his extended stint.

”That unit showed me they warrant more playing time, it is up to me as the coach to find a better way to get some of those guys to help the team,” Smith said.

Marcus Melvin led Tri-City with 26 points and 9 rebounds, and Rashad Pettey chipped in with 25 points in the loss.

Smith has some time to explore her lineup options as the Express catch a break in the schedule with their next game coming on February 7, when the Maryland Marvels travel up to East Orange.

Suns	2PM	2PA	3PM	3PA	FTM	FTA	R	A	S	B	P
Thompson	0	0	4	13	0	0	2	0	0	0	12
Haskins	1	2	1	5	0	2	2	1	2	1	5
Melvin	10	16	0	3	6	8	9	0	1	0	26
Dyers	5	11	1	2	0	0	7	1	2	1	13
Betts	1	2	0	0	0	2	3	0	1	0	2
D. Hayes	1	2	0	3	2	2	2	0	0	0	4
A. Hayes	1	4	1	6	0	0	4	0	1	0	5
Padgette	1	4	0	2	1	2	1	0	0	0	3
Dudley	0	2	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	1	0
Pettey	4	7	1	5	14	15	3	1	5	0	25
Kelley	1	3	0	0	0	0	1	1	2	0	2
Totals	25	53	8	39	23	31	37	4	14	3	97
Express	2PM	2PA	3PM	3PA	FTM	FTA	R	A	S	B	P
Goodman	7	11	0	3	2	3	4	3	1	0	16
Mosby	3	8	0	1	2	4	5	2	1	0	8
Fowler	5	8	0	1	1	3	13	2	0	0	11
Davis	8	12	0	0	5	6	13	3	3	4	21
Geary	1	5	0	0	1	2	4	0	1	0	3
Morgano	6	13	0	0	4	5	7	1	0	0	16
Thorpe	0	3	0	4	2	2	3	1	0	0	2
Ailey	2	2	0	1	2	4	2	2	0	3	6
Johnson	6	8	0	0	1	3	4	1	1	0	13
Crooks	1	1	1	2	4	6	1	2	0	0	9
Blakewood	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Totals	39	72	1	12	24	38	56	17	8	7	105