After scoring 31 points in the Mad Ants' 115-109 loss to Maine on Thursday at Memorial Coliseum, forward Darnell Lazare said he was sick and tired of losing, and he's going to try to convey that message to his young teammates Friday when the two teams play again.

Thursday was a chance for the Ants to make a statement. After all, Maine came in with a worse record, and the Ants were coming off a road win for a chance to win two games in a row.

Instead, Maine hammered the Ants on the offensive glass in the first quarter, stayed around after the Ants took a six-point lead, then took the game away with a run in the middle part of the third quarter.

It was in the locker room afterward when Lazare said he was weary of the losing, especially at home, and plans to take more of a vocal, leadership role the rest of the way.

Rookie Cam Jones scored 28 for the Ants, but offense isn't the problem. The problem is that the team can't play defense and has forgotten the basic fundamental of blocking out the other guy.

My guess is that there will be a significantly better effort Friday night.