Legends Eclipse Wolves in Late-Game Thriller
January 21, 2019 - NBA G League (G League) - Texas Legends News Release
FRISCO, TX - The Texas Legends (10-20) were able to connect in the final seconds to overshadow the Iowa Wolves (9-21) 119-118.
The Wolves got off to a hot start knocking down 50% and 46% outside in the first to build a double-digit gap minutes in. Texas turned the tables in the second, nearly doubling the visitors' points 37-19 behind a hot streak from Xavier Johnson. Johnson opened the quarter with the first points for Texas and went 6-of-6 for 12 points and 4 boards. With Johnson's 100%, Texas went up to 64% in the second, holding Iowa to 29% and taking the lead midway through to go into halftime ahead 63-54.
The Legends maintained control through the third, using a 22-point combined effort from Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Gary Trent Jr. to take their largest lead of the night (+19). Facing a double-digit deficit in the final 12 minutes, the Wolves came out firing, with Jonathan Stark leading the charge. Stark hit 3-of-5 outside and finished 8-of-11 for 20 of Iowa's 37 fourth quarter points. With less than two to play, the visitors jumped ahead, but a pair of free throws from Justin Dentmon and a final fadeaway from Rathan-Mayes would seal the victory in front of a sold-out home crowd.
Dentmon led all scorers with 29 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals. Ray Spalding added a double-double of 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks, and Rathan-Mayes neared a triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Trent Jr., in his first game on assignment from the Portland Trail Blazers, added 24 points, 4 rebounds, and Johnson finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and a game-high 4 steals.
Darius Johnson-Odom also neared a triple-double for the Wolves with 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Jonathan Stark came off the bench to match the team-high 26 points while adding 4 rebounds, and 3 steals. Brandon Goodwin grabbed a double-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds.
The Legends will continue their three-game home stretch Wednesday against the Austin Spurs (14-15) at 7pm CT. For tickets or information call 214-469-0822 or visit www.TexLegends.com.
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