Jared Harper Earns 10th 20+ Point Game in Suns Loss
December 22, 2019 - NBA G League (G League)
Northern Arizona Suns News Release
LAS VEGAS - Las Vegas wasn't kind to the Northern Arizona Suns.
The Suns dropped their second game of their MGM Resorts NBA G League Winter Showcase Tournament set on Saturday night to the Long Island Nets 102-78. The Suns (2-15) went 0-2 at the Showcase, while the Nets (5-11) split their pair.
The Suns started tonight's game strong, quickly taking a nine-point lead and finishing the first quarter up 27-22. Jared Harper had 14 points in the first quarter alone. The Nets stormed back in the second quarter by clamping down defensively. They won the frame 30-14 to take a 52-41 lead into the locker room.
It was all Nets in the second half as well, as they forced the Suns to shoot a season low clip from the field. Northern Arizona made 27-of-82 (.329) shots from the floor, compared to a 34-of-84 (.405) mark by Long Island. The Nets also made seven more three-pointers (19-of-46).
Harper led the Suns in scoring for the ninth time this season with 24 points (4-6 3PT), to go with three rebounds, three assists and two steals. It marks the 10th 20+ point game of his rookie season.
Two other Suns scored in double figures. Aaron Epps tallied 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-8 from distance, nine rebounds, and a steal. ShawnDre Jones finished with 10 points and three assists.
Long Island's leading scorer on the season, Henry Ellenson, was held to just six points on 2-of-12 shooting, including 1-of-8 from downtown. He was averaging 21.7 points per game entering the contest. C.J. Williams and Jaylen Hands picked up the slack. Williams had 25 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including a perfect 6-of-6 from the three-point line, to go with nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Hands had 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including 5-of-9 from deep, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals.
The Suns will get a long break before their next game. They'll host the South Bay Lakers on Saturday, Dec. 28, at the Findlay Toyota Center at 5 p.m. MT. The Nets next play on Friday, Dec. 27, at home against the Erie BayHawks at 5 p.m. MT.
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