Racers Fall in Playoffs, Conclude Inaugural Season
Saratoga Racers logo provided.
BINGHAMTON — The Saratoga Racers saw their postseason dreams dashed last Saturday, falling to the Binghamton Bulldogs 127 to 101 in the semifinals of the American Basketball Association (ABA) Eastern Conference White Division playoffs.
The game was competitive after the first quarter, with Saratoga trailing by only 4. But the Bulldogs ran away with the contest in the second stanza, outscoring the Racers 40 to 21. The lead proved to be insurmountable.
John Ryals led all Saratoga scorers with 23 points, while big man Shaheem Sanders added 17.
Binghamton advanced to face Buffalo in the White Division championship, but fell to the No. 1 seed eXtreme by only 1 point, 99 to 98.
Saratoga ended its inaugural season with a 13-7 record.
“We didn’t get the result we wanted last night, but what a season,” said Racers Owner Keith Harrington in a Facebook post. “To finish the season ranked #19 in the country and in the White Division Semifinals exceeded expectations.”
Harrington added that the team would be back “bigger and better” next season.