Led by Fred Sturdivant’s team-high 16 points and Alex Wells (15), the Chattanooga Rail Runners defeated visiting Fort Wayne Flite, 100-86, Sunday at Brainerd High School in a Central Basketball Association game.
Ronald Lucas of the Flite had game-high honors with 21 points, while teammate Antonio Cannon added 11.
The Rail Runners (4-1) are now in first place by half game over Middle Tenn. Storm(3-1) and a full game ahead of Bowling Green (2-1) who edged the Chattanooga squad last night, 94-91, in Kentucky.
Fort Wayne is now 3-2.
Chattanooga led 24-17 after first quarter, but Lucas scored nine points in the second quarter as the Flite led at intermission, 44-43.
In the third quarter, Wells (East Ridge alum) and Baylor grad Jonathan Adams came off the bench for seven and six points, respectively, as Chattanooga led 68-60.
Wells’ 3-pointer at 1:38 gave the Rail Runners its largest lead at 13 (67-54) as the hosts were on a 24-10 run in the quarter.
Chattanooga opened the fourth on a 7-0 run to lead by 15 at 75-60 and again at 77-62.
But Fort Wayne cut the lead to single digits (84-76) as Cannon led the comeback with seven points and a pair of free throws by Lucas brought the visitors with eight at 3:13.
The Rail Runners went on a 10-0 run to lead 94-76 at 1:10 highlighted by Adams (13 points) scoring back-to-back baskets and former Moc Dantay Hampton (14 points) connecting on his third, 3-pointer of the game.
The Rail Runners largest lead was 19 at 96-77 on a basket by Hampton.
Sturdivant (Brainerd HS alum) ended the scoring for the victors in the closing seconds with an impressive running dunk.
“We played with good intensity today and played solid defense,” said Rail Runners coach Paul Gaffney.
On The Road: The Rail Runners play their final three regular season games on the road; at Peoria (May 2), at Springfield (May 3) and at Mississippi (May 9, game to be played at Street Center Ministries in Memphis which is the Eagles home court).
Rail Runners 100, Fort Wayne 86
Fort Wayne 17 – 27 – 16 – 26 -- 86
Rail Runners 24 – 19 – 25 – 32 -- 100
Central Basketball Association Standings
Chattanooga Rail Runners (4-1)
Middle Tenn. Storm (3-1)
Bowling Green (Ky.) Hornets (2-1)
Fort Wayne Flite (3-2)
Memphis Soul Kings (2-2)
Mississippi Eagles (2-2)
Peoria Panthers (1-4)
Springfield Sentinels (0-4)