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D-Fenders Hold off Suns Comeback in Double Overtime Win

November 24, 2016 - NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release


EL SEGUNDO - The Los Angeles D-Fenders took a 22-point lead into halftime in their first-ever contest against the newly-formed Northern Arizona Suns on Wednesday. But if the NBA D-League has shown us anything, it's that no lead is safe.

Following a fiery Northern Arizona comeback effort in the second half, Los Angeles (4-1) was able to stave off a previously undefeated Suns squad, defeating the visiting team, 142-135, in a double-overtime thriller at the Toyota Sports Center.

In a game that included plenty of offense, a number of D-Fenders stood out. Among those was Lakers assignment center Ivica Zubac, who notched the first double-double of his professional career with 21 points and 12 rebounds. He was one of three Los Angeles players to finish with a double-double on the day, as he was joined by Justin Harper (16 points, 11 rebounds) and David Nwaba (19 points, 11 rebounds). Vander Blue led the team in scoring with 26 points, leading the way as eight players scored in double figures.

The first half was an example of efficiency for head coach Coby Karl's squad. The D-Fenders shot a season-high 66.7 percent from the field, tallied their best scoring total in a half this season with 73 points and at one time led by as much as 31 points, the team's greatest lead of the year.

However, Northern Arizona (3-1) had no plans of starting their Thanksgiving holiday early. The Suns brought a new defensive intensity out of the halftime break, ultimately forcing 16 D-Fenders turnovers in the second half that equated to 19 Northern Arizona points. Guard Askia Booker scored 26 points after halftime, while forward and former D-Fender Elijah Millsap scored 20 in the second half. The pair would fuel the Suns comeback, ultimately finishing with 35 points each on the day.

Los Angeles controlled the majority of the first overtime period, even taking a four-point lead with 15.1 seconds to play, but Northern Arizona combined a quick layup with a steal to set up a game-tying opportunity for forward Derek Cooke, Jr. with less than five seconds to play.

After the Suns forced a second overtime period, Los Angeles was finally able to seize the moment, using five points from Blue while holding Northern Arizona scoreless to guarantee the win.

Now in sole possession of first place atop the NBA D-League's Pacific Division, Los Angeles will be back in action against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers at 5 p.m. PT on Saturday, Nov. 26, for the start of a three-game road swing.

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