'Force wins on Christmas night
December 26, 2005 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release
Sioux Falls, SD (December 25, 2005) - The Sioux Falls Skyforce defeated the Dakota Wizards tonight 95-85 (5, 2) to move to 10-8 on the season. The win tonight improved the Force to 9-8 all-time on Christmas night. Dakota extended their losing streak to six games and stumble home with a record of to 7-9, good for last place in the Western Conference.
Something had to give as both teams came into the night on a losing streak. Rodney Buford and Billy Thomas came out hot as both players finished with nine points in the opening quarter. The Dakota Wizards won the first quarter 23-21. It was a seesaw battle in the second quarter as neither team could gain much of a lead. The Force won the second quarter 18-14 and went into halftime leading 39-37. The Force came out with some intensity to start the second half and raced out to their largest lead of the game at 49-41. However, the Wizards would answer back with an 11-2 run and led 52-51 with 6:00 to go in the third quarter. The Wizards would win the third quarter 30-27 behind eight points from Thomas and Dakota held a slim one-point lead (67-66) heading into the final stanza. The Force trailed 76-74 midway through the final quarter and would go on a timely 14-2 run to build a double-digit lead (88-78) with 2:59 remaining in the game. The Wizards would get as close as seven points but the Force made key plays down the stretch to send the 4,500+ fans home with the best present ever, a victory over the rival Dakota Wizards.
The Skyforce's next game is on Tuesday, December 27th, on the road against the Dakota Wizards. Tip-off is set for 7:05 pm at the Bismarck Civic Center.
Game Highlights:
SKYFORCE: Brandon Hunter 15 points, 15 rebounds
Jemeil Rich 15 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists
WIZARDS: Maurice Baker 17 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists
Billy Thomas 19 points, 5-for-9 three-pointers
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Group tickets and mini-plans are on sale for the 2005-06 season. For details call a Skyforce representative at (605) 332-0605.
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Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from December 26, 2005
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- 'Force wins on Christmas night - Sioux Falls Skyforce
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