Air Strikers pull away late, move to 2-0; Thomasson nets 30

When the Dayton Air Strikers played the Indiana Dream last year it was a blowout from the start.

Joe Thomasson goes up against Dream for 2 of his game high 30 points

 This year? The same results, but a completely different story.

   Indiana had the game in their grasp as they were only down 2 to the Air Strikers (109 - 107) with less than 5 minutes to go in the game.  The game was tied going into the 4th as the Dream had seized momentum.

  However, a late flurry by Andre Yates, Joe Thomason, Aaron Holmes and Tracy McGuire took a tight game and sealed the deal as the Air Strikers defeated the Indiana Dream 127-114.

The Air Strikers now improve to 2-0, while the Dream will fall to 1-2.

Fast rising Youth Program showing love and getting love at the Air Striker game 

The Air Strikers made runs in every quarter but every run the Strikers made the Dream matched.

Led by Maris (28), Steve Smith (24), and Marquez Morse (25), the Dream went blow for blow until 5 minutes left in the game.

Maris had a big game for the Dream 

That's when the Air Strikers went on a decisive game-ending run.

Joe Thomasson led the Air Striker offensive attack with 30 points, while Andre Yates dropped 18, Mook Holmes added the inside punch with 17 and 13 rebs, and Dwyane Martin dropped 18 with 3 blocks to join 7 Air Strikers in double figures.

The Dream were pleased with the effort, and the coaching staff knows they had a real opportunity to win the game.

Coach McGuire with Big Man Aaron "Mook" Holmes 

Air Strikers coach Chris McGuire loved the effort, but wasn't pleased with the execution overall, especially after a sloppy 1st half.

But as McGuire knows, being a star in the NCAA Tournament, is that a win is a win, especially when you are the top dog in the conference.

G Andre Yates goes hard for 2 vs the Dream 

MVPs of the Game:
Joe Thomasson, Air Strikers
 Thomasson led the Air Strikers with 30, but added 4 boards, 3 assists, and 4 huge steals to take home the award.

Star player Steve Smith at the line for 2 

Steve Smith,  Indiana Dream
 Smith was consistent all night, and in the 4th quarter he went off to keep the Dream upset hopes alive.