Skyhawks Rally Late but Fall to Celtics in Youth Sports Day Showcase

The College Park Skyhawks (4–9) dropped the opening game of their two-game series against the Maine Celtics (7–5), falling 112–103 on Youth Sports Day presented by the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, in front of a sold-out crowd at Gateway Center Arena.

Coming off a historic performance just days ago, Atlanta Hawks two-way guard RayJ Dennis once again set the tone for College Park. Dennis finished with 17 points, 10 assists, five rebounds, and six steals in 38 minutes, continuing his all-around dominance on both ends of the floor. With the effort, Dennis became the first Skyhawk in franchise history and the first NBA G League player since 2024 to post at least 15 points, 10 assists, five rebounds, and six steals in a single game. He also became the first player in the league this season—and the first in Skyhawks history—to record back-to-back games of 15-plus points, 10-plus assists, and at least four steals.

In his return to College Park on assignment from the Atlanta Hawks, rookie forward Asa Newell made an immediate impact, posting 15 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in 24 minutes. Nikola Đurišić matched Newell’s scoring with 15 points, adding three rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. The 6-foot-7 forward/guard has now recorded at least one block in four of his last five games and is averaging 1.0 block per game in the regular season.

Maine came out in rhythm, jumping to an early 13–2 lead. The Skyhawks responded with an 11–5 run midway through the first quarter, but the Celtics controlled the pace by consistently getting to the free-throw line, converting seven of nine attempts to take a 29–17 lead into the second.

The Celtics’ momentum carried into the second quarter, where three forced turnovers turned into points and sparked a 10–0 run. Maine’s efficiency on offense matched its defensive pressure, as the Celtics shot 13-of-25 from the field while holding College Park to just seven points in the quarter, heading into halftime with a 57–36 advantage.

College Park showed resilience after the break. Trailing by as many as 25 early in the third, the Skyhawks knocked down three straight triples—two from Caleb Houstan and one from Basheer Jihad—to fuel a 13–5 run and cut the deficit to 15. The teams traded baskets the rest of the period, with Maine maintaining control and carrying an 86–68 lead into the fourth.

The Skyhawks leaned heavily on the three-point shot in the final frame, hitting seven triples in the quarter and cutting the deficit to 10. Maine answered with a decisive 21–7 run, but College Park continued to fight until the final horn, closing the game on a 13–0 run. The late push wasn’t enough to erase the deficit, as the Celtics held on for the 112–103 victory.

Maine was led by third-year guard Ron Harper Jr., who finished with a game-high 24 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Tosan Evbuomwan added 19 points, 14 rebounds, and three steals in the win.

The Skyhawks will look to even the series as they cap off their five-game homestand with a rematch against the Celtics on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m., presented by Attorney Ken Nugent.