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Grand Rapids Drive

Drive Dominate Third Quarter to Beat Swarm

February 8, 2017 - NBA G League (G League)
Grand Rapids Drive News Release


GRAND RAPIDS - The Grand Rapids Drive (17-17) used a great opening to the second half to pull their record back up to .500 against the Greensboro Swarm (11-23) at home on Wednesday night. Heading into the half up by one point, 62-61, they started the second half on a 21-3 run and ran away with a 109-100 win.

Grand Rapids won their fifth out of their last six games and handed the Swarm their third consecutive loss. They reached a 20-point lead with that third-quarter run that the Swarm trimmed down to single digits at the end of the game but never seriously threatened.

The Drive got contributions from all over the roster, helped by two Detroit Pistons assignees in Henry Ellenson and Michael Gbinije. Gbinije provided 20 points, 10 rebounds and three steals, while Ellenson had 12 with seven rebounds. Kevin Murphy also had 22 points and Jordan Crawford scored 20 with eight rebounds. All in all, ten players scored for Grand Rapids.

Perry Ellis and Rasheed Sulaimon each had 18 points for Greensboro and Cheick Diallo had 15 points and 14 rebounds (with all his points and all but two of his rebounds coming in the first half) on assignment from the New Orleans Pelicans.

Grand Rapids had one of their best defensive showings in weeks, barely missing holding an opponent under 100 points for the first time since Dec. 30. Greensboro managed just 38 percent from the field while the Drive shot a relatively healthier 43 percent.

The Drive also pulled down 58 rebounds, equaling their season high which was set in a double-overtime contest. Chris Horton, making his second start of the season at center, helped with 11 rebounds and four assists in just 22 minutes.

The Drive are back in action at home again as they face the Erie BayHawks at the DeltaPlex on Feb. 10 for their next game. The Swarm head back home to play the Reno Bighorns on Feb. 11.

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