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G League Grand Rapids Drive

Drive Can't Overcome Big Game by Former Player Sam Thompson, Fall to Delaware 135-119

January 30, 2016 - NBA G League (G League)
Grand Rapids Drive News Release


NEWARK, Del. - Sam Thompson had his best game as a professional on Saturday night. Unfortunately he did it while wearing the Delaware uniform.

Devin Ebanks had a game-high 33 points, but the Grand Rapids Drive lost 135-119 to the Delaware 87ers on Saturday in front of 2,766 fans at the Bob Carpenter Sports Convocation Center.

Grand Rapids, the affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, falls to to 12-12.

Thompson, who was traded from Grand Rapids to Delaware on Jan. 13, had a season high 18 points and five rebounds. Grand Rapids got guard Gary Talton in return. Thompson was drafted by the Drive in the the first round of the 2015 D-League Draft out of Ohio State.

Ebanks, a 6-foot-9 forward out of West Virginia, was 12-of-21 from the field. He is averaging 27.6 points per game over his last five. Spencer Dinwiddie had a season-high 28 points and added eight assists. He was followed by Henry Sims with 20, Dahntay Jones (13) and Kelsey Barlow (10).

The 119 points by Grand Rapids are the most it has scored in a loss. And the 135 points by Delaware are the most the Drive has allowed this season.

Ismael Romero's dunk in the third quarter, capped a 14-4 run and tied the game at 74-74. It was his first field goal with the Drive. The Cuban native sat out the first 22 games with an injury.

Dinwiddie had 14 points as Grand Rapids trailed 59-56 at halftime.

Delaware was without its top player on Saturday. Jordan McRae, who is fifth in the D-League in scoring with 23.1 points per game, was signed to a 10-day contract by the Phoenix Suns on Friday. McRae set a D-League record by scoring 61 points in a 130-123 overtime victory over the Canton Charge on Tuesday.

Russ Smith led Delaware with 30 points and an impressive 18 assists. Delaware traded for Smith on Jan. 13.

Grand Rapids returns home on Wednesday when it hosts the Austin Spurs for a 7 p.m. game at The DeltaPlex Arena.

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