D-Fenders Stop Mad Ants
March 3, 2009 - NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release
EL SEGUNDO, CA - Brandon Heath registered 25 points and nine assists as the Los Angeles D-Fenders defeated the visiting Fort Wayne Mad Ants, 123-116, Tuesday at STAPLES Center.
Los Angeles (12-24) broke the tie at 29 apiece at the start of the second quarter with a 12-0 run in the opening minutes of the period. Heath led the D-Fenders, scoring 15 points, including hitting all three shots from behind the arc. Los Angeles scored 43 points in the quarter, shooting 80% from the field, while Fort Wayne was held to 8 of 21 shooting. The D-Fenders finished the first half strong and headed into the locker room with a 72-52 advantage.
"I think we got it going (in the second quarter) by locking down on defense;" said Heath. "That allowed us to get out and run and make some easy baskets. I think that's when we made our run."
Dwayne Mitchell led all players with 27 points and nine rebounds for the D-Fenders, while Joe Crawford chipped in with 20 points. Charlie Parker responded to being placed in the starting line-up by nearly amassing a double-double with 11 points and nine assists.
All five Mad Ants' starters scored in double figures led by Walker Russell Jr. with 24 points and a game-high 14 assists. Taj McCullough (21) and Ron Howard (20) also put up big numbers in defeat. The loss sends Fort Wayne's record to 14-23 on the season.
Despite the D-Fenders extending their lead to 28 points midway through the third quarter, Fort Wayne made a late rally in the fourth quarter, but could only cut the lead to single digits in the final seconds with a Russell 3-point shot. Los Angeles finished the night with 35 assists (on 50 field goals).
Fort Wayne heads down to Anaheim tomorrow night for a contest with the Arsenal. The D-Fenders next game is Friday, March 6th at STAPLES Center against the Arsenal.
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