The Armor slipped to 11-11 on the season. Springfield returns to action Sunday in Iowa.
Springfield Armor's Dennis Horner battles for the ball in this Nov. 25, 2011 file photo. Horner had 19 points in Saturday's loss against the Bizmark Wizards on Jan. 21, 2012.By LOU BABIARZ
BISMARCK, N.D. – Jeff Foote gave the Dakota Wizards matchup problems, but Springfield’s recent reinforcements from the NBA were mostly held in check as the Armor dropped a 111-107 decision on Saturday at the Bismarck Civic Center.
Foote, a 7-foot center from Cornell, poured in 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting and hauled down 10 boards. But Jordan Williams, on assignment from the New Jersey Nets, was held to nine points and four rebounds in his second game with the Armor.
Dennis Horner, making his return to the Armor after being waived by the Nets earlier this week, fared a little better. After a slow start, Horner picked it up in the fourth quarter, finishing the night with 19 points and eight rebounds.
With Foote causing headaches inside for the smaller Wizards, the Armor led for most of the first half. The Armor’s high water mark came after a bucket by Foote extended their margin to 51-43. Foote used an array of hooks, dunks and putbacks to score 15 in the first half, eclipsing his per game average of 14.4 before intermission.
But the Wizards scored the final 10 points of the second quarter, and took a 56-53 lead into the locker room.
Dakota asserted control with a 10-1 spurt in the third quarter, extending their advantage to 79-70. Nine of the points came from reserve forward Marcus Dove.
After trailing by as many as 16 points, the Armor made a late run. Led by Foote and JamesOn Curry, Springfield closed to within 107-105. Justin Johnson buried a big shot from the baseline with 1:08 to play to give the Wizards some breathing room. A layup by Horner with 14.0 seconds left, cut the gap to 109-107.
Edwin Ubiles left the door open by missing a free throw with 10.7 seconds left, but Horner missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer.
Ubiles led the Wizards with 28 points. Dove finished with 21 points, while Johnson had 17 points and six assists.
Curry had 23 points and 10 assists for the Armor, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.
The Armor slipped to 11-11 on the season, a half-game ahead of the Wizards (10-11) in the East Conference. Springfield returns to action tonight in Iowa.