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Blue, D-Fenders Ground Skyforce in Home Win

January 27, 2017 - NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release


EL SEGUNDO - Vander Blue had 37 points and seven rebounds, and six of the team's eight available players scored in double figures to lead the Los Angeles D-Fenders (21-6) past the Sioux Falls Skyforce (20-8) on Thursday at the Toyota Sports Center, 125-120. With the win, the D-Fenders defeated the Skyforce for the first time this season while locking up the league's best record.

Blue's point total led all scorers on the day. Justin Harper recorded 19 points, while Jeff Ayres (15 points, 14 rebounds) and David Nwaba (14 points, 13 rebounds) each recorded their third double-doubles of the season. Travis Wear also scored 15 points off the bench for the D-Fenders.

Sioux Falls enjoyed a pair of big games from Patrick Miller and Ike Nwamu, who finished with 32 points and 23 points, respectively. Briante Weber - the D-League's top-rated NBA prospect - recorded 19 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and five steals.

D-Fenders guard Speedy Smith knocked down a three-pointer with 46.1 seconds remaining to give the team its final lead of the game. That play highlighted a spectacular fourth quarter stretch, as Los Angeles finished the game on a 20-3 run in the final five minutes of play.

Sioux Falls held a 66-54 halftime lead after the D-Fenders connected on just 36 percent of their attempts from the field in the first two quarters. The Skyforce duo of Miller and Weber combined for 34 points in the first half.

But Los Angeles shot significantly better in the second half, while their offensive weapons got in a rhythm. Blue contributed 24 points in the second half alone, and the duo of Ayres and Wear combined for 24 points in the final two frames. More importantly, the D-Fenders honed in on Weber, allowing just three second-half points from the Skyforce star after halftime.

Overall, the game included 14 lead changes and 11 ties. Los Angeles recorded their eight win of the season in games in which they've trailed by double figures. The Skyforce led by as much as 14 on Thursday.

Los Angeles now prepares for a six-game road streak that will pit them against the Austin Spurs at 3 p.m. PT on Sunday, Jan. 29. Meanwhile, the Skyforce will face Oklahoma City in their next contest, a 5 p.m. PT tipoff on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Sanford Pentagon.

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