The undefeated Chattanooga Rail Runners basketball team led from start to finish and defeated the Middle Tennessee Storm, 93-74, Sunday at Brainerd High School.
Led by Brainerd alums Fred Sturdivant (14 pts.) and E'Jay Ward (13 points), the Rail Runners improve to 3-0 on the season and tied for first in the Central Basketball Association with Fort Wayne (Ind.) Flite (3-0) who defeated the Memphis Soul Kings (104-100) Saturday.
The Brainerd duo scored the team's first 10 points for a 10-2 lead at the
4:10 mark.
The Storm then outscored the hosts 10-3 but trailed 13-12 at the end of the first quarter as Sturdivant led all scorers with six.
The Rail Runners led 36-28 at half, by 13 (58-45) at the end of three and 19 at the final buzzer.
"Today was our best effort of the season as we as jelling as a team," said head coach Paul Gaffney. "We played great defense today and that is a testament to working hard in practice."
In the third quarter the Storm pulled within six at 39-33 at 7:55, but the Rail Runners went on a 10-0 run for its largest lead (16 points) at 49-33 as Sturdivant scored four, former UTC player Dontay Hampton connected on a 3-pointer and Baylor School alum and current assistant coach at McCallie Jonathan Adams scored the final two.
The Rail Runners' largest lead of the game was 21 at 85-64 on a basket by Adams who finished with eight.
Next Home Game: The Rail Runners host Fort Wayne Sunday April 19 at Brainerd HS at 3:30 p.m.in the final regular season home game.
It will also be Cancer Survivor Day and fans will be given free admission to the game by buying a cancer survivor t-shirt. Information is on the team's facebook page.
Next Game: The Rail Runners play at Bowling Green (Ky.) Hornets Saturday night.
Top Scorers: Rail Runners: Fred Sturdivant (14), E'Jay Ward (13)
The Storm: Ryan Westbrooks (21)
Rail Runners 93, Middle Tenn. Storm 74
Storm 12 16 17 29 -- 74
Rail Runners 13 23 22 35 -- 93
Record: Rail Runners (3-0) Middle Tenn. (2-1)