Lakers Down Skyforce 139-135 in OT
December 10, 2017 - NBA G League (G League)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release
EL SEGUNDO, CA - The Sioux Falls Skyforce (6-7) were unable to fend of the South Bay Lakers (10-2) in the closing minutes on Friday night, falling 139-135 in the team's first overtime game of the season.
The Skyforce jumped out to an early lead in the first half, led by Denver Nuggets two-way player Torrey Craig (29 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists), who scored 25 of his 29 points in the first half alone. Yet, after Sioux Falls had enjoyed a double-digit lead for the majority of the game, the Lakers came storming back at the end of regulation.
Los Angeles Lakers assignee Thomas Bryant (31 points, 5-9 3FG) capped off the South Bay comeback by hitting a step-back three from the corner with 0.01 seconds left to send the game into overtime. From there, the Skyforce only managed to score three points in the eventual defeat.
Tony Mitchell (32 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds) led the way in scoring for Sioux Falls, one of three Skyforce players to record a double-double in the game. Larry Drew II (19 points, 14 assists and six rebounds) notched his second-consecutive double-double while leading the Skyforce to a franchise-record 42 assists on the evening.
Los Angeles Lakers two-way player Alex Caruso had a career night, scoring 41 points and adding 12 assists in the game to lead the way for South Bay. Scott Machado (17 points and 11 assists) posted a double-double of his own as the Lakers too saw three players earn double-doubles on the night.
The lid finally appeared to come off for Miami HEAT two-way player Matt Williams Jr. (18 points), who had struggled from three-point range in recent games. He shot 6-of-11 from long distance on the night, but was unable to convert on each of his two three-point attempts when the Skyforce called his number in overtime.
Sioux Falls turned in its best shooting performance of the season, shooting 52.5 percent from the floor and 42.0 percent from long range as they made a season-high 21 three-point attempts (two shy of the team's franchise record). However, the Skyforce were outscored 66-46 in the paint, and attempted just 12 free throws to South Bay's 36 as they dropped their seventh game of the season.
The Skyforce road trip continues as the team travels to Oklahoma City on December 13, and then to Oshkosh, Wisconsin on December 15 before returning home to face the Iowa Wolves in what will be a five-game home stand. The Lakers now head to Reno to take on the Bighorns on Sunday, December 10.
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