EAST ORANGE (NJ) – Samar Battle led a balanced Express (3-0) attack to a 139-117 victory over the New York Red Riders (1-2) in American Basketball Association (ABA) play last night. Battle’s 29 points topped seven Express double-digit scorers, as the Express overcame early torrid shooting by the Red Riders.

The fast start by the Red Raiders did not worry Express coach Quaasim Austin, but the way his team finished was a slight cause for concern.

“They did what I wanted them to do defensively, but I don’t think any coach is going to be satisfied after giving up 117 points,” Austin said. “I think we got lazy about the 5-minute mark, I think we got lazy and stopped executing to the T.”

V’Angelo Smith triggered the Red Riders quick-strike offense with 11 first-quarter points, as the Red Riders jumped out to a 27-12 lead six minutes into the game. The Red Riders started five guards and Smith connected on a trio of spot-up three pointers early in the opening quarter.

With Smith on the bench, the Express close the gap to 29-18, before a heated discussion resulting in double technicals on Battle and Red Rider forward Demontrick Dooddles. The quick flare up seemed to set fire to the Express defense. The Express closed the gap to eight points, finishing the quarter trailing 31-23.

Austin inserted Elijah Thorpe and Dwayne Ailey early in the second quarter strengthening the perimeter defense for the Express. Thorpe completed the comeback by connecting from long distance with 4:45 remaining in the half.

Defensive pressure was the name of the game for the Express in the second half, challenging shots on the perimeter, allowed their athletic team open up the offense and run away with the game.

“It felt wonderful, we executed well in the second half in terms of trying to turn the defense up, I pat each and every on of them on the back,” Austin said.

Antionne Morgano contributed 26 points most of them coming in the transition game as Morgano ran the floor and was rewarded with easy shots. The main table setter for the Express was Jordan Fowler, who flirted with a triple double totaling 19 points, nine assists, and seven boards.

Lester McNAir led the Red Riders with 27 points, but shot 8-27 from the field, Smith finished with 26 points for the game.

Next week the Express host games on back-to-back nights, as the Maryland Marvels make the trip to Jersey Saturday evening and the New York Thunder cross the bridge for a Sunday afternoon tip-off.

Express Website
Red Rider Website
ABA Website

Red Riders	2PA	2PM	3PA	3PM	FTA	FTM	R	A	S	B	P
Bitting	1	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0
Richard	8	5	3	1	2	2	9	1	2	0	15
Lamica	10	3	2	0	2	2	3	3	3	0	8
Smith	13	5	6	4	5	4	14	1	0	1	26
Kattrell	9	4	5	0	8	5	8	0	2	0	13
Stewart	2	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	1	0	2
Bartley	16	8	4	0	2	2	1	0	2	0	18
Ross	0	0	2	2	0	0	1	0	3	0	6
Ducreay	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
McNair	21	6	6	2	12	9	6	1	1	1	27
Dooddles	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
Totals	86	33	29	9	31	24	49	6	14	2	117
Express	2PA	2PM	3PA	3PM	FTA	FTM	R	A	S	B	P
Goodman	8	5	3	1	2	1	2	6	1	1	14
Howell	7	5	0	0	8	5	6	1	1	1	15
Battle	17	12	1	0	8	5	13	1	0	3	29
Thorpe	2	1	3	1	0	0	0	1	2	1	5
Fowler	15	9	3	0	1	1	7	9	1	0	19
Morgano	17	13	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	1	26
Sanders	4	2	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	1	4
Davis	8	4	0	0	2	1	4	0	1	4	9
Allen	6	4	0	0	8	8	2	2	0	0	16
Ailey	2	1	0	0	0	0	2	2	0	0	2
Totals	86	56	10	2	29	21	42	22	6	12	139
stats are unofficial