Legends Hold off Last Second Efforts of Skyforce
January 8, 2018 - NBA G League (G League)
Texas Legends News Release
SIOUX FALLS, SD, - The Texas Legends (10-10) held off the final attempts of the Sioux Falls Skyforce (8-11) to hand the team their third straight loss at home 122-119 Saturday night at the Sanford Pentagon.
The Skyforce took control in the first, leading by as many as 14. Texas made a push at the end of the quarter to cut the deficit to three but were unable to catch up to the home team's hot shooting. The second quarter saw a change of pace as Texas took their first edge of the night and the two teams exchanged leads 9 times. Texas, led by an 18-point performance from Justin Dentmon, outscored the Force 42-33 to take a 73-67 lead into the locker room.
The two teams kept it close in the third with Texas losing their lead but regaining it to head into the final quarter up by a hair (95-91). The home team shot 50% to Texas' 42% in the fourth but both teams struggled outside combining for 3-of-13. With 9.5 seconds on the clock, the Skyforce faced a 3-point difference but were unable to connect on two tying attempts, giving the Legends the final victory.
All five Legends starters finished in double-digits led by Dentmon with a game-high 31 to complement a team-high 6 assists. Johnathan Motley (20 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals, 4 blocks) and Jameel Warney (17 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks) each stuffed the stat sheets to grab the game's only double-doubles. Jalen Jones neared the mark with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and Wade Baldwin IV added 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.
Tony Mitchell powered the Skyforce with 28 points (10 of which came in the clutch fourth quarter), while Ike Nwamu added 23 points (shooting 9-of-16) and Larry Drew II tallied 12 but dished out a game-high 9 assists. Alonzo Gee finished with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals, and Jalen Bradley and Kadeem Jack added 14 and 13 respectively off the bench.
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NBA G League Stories from January 8, 2018
- Charge Ousted by Knicks - Cleveland Charge
- Big First Half Gives Vipers the Win - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- Sioux Falls Out-Hustled by Memphis, 131-115 - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Legends Hold off Last Second Efforts of Skyforce - Texas Legends
- Skyforce Drop Third Straight at Home - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Charge Pin Nets for the Win - Cleveland Charge
- Wisconsin Herd Dash Through Westchester Knicks - Westchester Knicks
- Lakers Slip Past Charge - Cleveland Charge
- Morris, Nnoko Excel in Drive's Win over Maine - Grand Rapids Drive
- Red Claws Fall in Grand Rapids - Maine Celtics
- Greg Heineman Named First-Year Nominee for 2018 Naismith Hall of Fame - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Legends' Hot Shooting Not Enough to Strike Vipers - Texas Legends
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