Legends' Late Basket Edges Armor 108-107
Published on December 18, 2013 under NBA G League (G League)
Springfield Armor News Release
FRISCO, Texas - A Texas Legends (7-2) baseline bucket with less than five seconds remaining doomed the Springfield Armor (1-7), presented by MGM Springfield, Wednesday night in a 108-107 loss at Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas.
Forward Gary Forbes' game-high 33 points were not enough as his last attempt, a jumper from the top of the key at the buzzer, was off the mark in the one-point loss at Texas. Forbes played all 48 minutes Wednesday night, hitting 12-of-13 from the charity stripe and 10-of-22 from the field to tally his season-best scoring night.
Texas found the hot hand early, putting the Armor in a seven-point hole over the first minute and change, but Springfield got hot and scored the next seven points, five coming from forward Dennis Horner who went on to score 14 in the opening frame. Springfield went on to open up a lead as large as nine in the quarter, but ended the first 12 minutes up by just two after a pair of free throws by Forbes with less than six seconds on the clock.
The Legends would immediately tie the game in the second, but the Armor were again able to build an advantage, holding a 49-41 edge with over five minutes remaining. Trailing by eight, Texas used a 15-7 run to knot the game at 56 with a little over a minute left and took advantage of three straight Springfield turnovers to close the half on a 4-0 run and take a 60-56 lead into the locker room.
Forbes led all scorers with 18 points at the break, coming on 5-of-11 shooting from the field. Horner played 12 minutes in the first half, scoring his 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting. The Armor outshot the Legends from the field 59 percent to 56 percent, but 13 turnovers aided in Texas' rally before the half.
Springfield fell behind by as many as six to start the third, but an 8-0 run encompassing a pair of treys gave the Armor a two point lead just two minutes in. The Legends would go on to hold two more leads in the quarter, but Springfield outscored Texas 10-5 over the final 4:20 of the quarter to take a five-point advantage into the fourth at 86-81.
Five straight points to begin the fourth saw the Armor grabbed their largest lead of the night at 10 after holding a 91-81 edge with just over nine minutes to play. Down by double digits, the Legends mounted a rally over the next three minutes, using a 10-2 run to pull within two at 93-91 courtesy of a pair of three pointers on consecutive possessions, forcing Doug Overton and the Armor to call timeout. Out of the stoppage, the Legends were able to pull within one, but the Armor again were able to push their lead back to five at 101-96 with less than four minutes to go. After pulling within one several times down the final stretch, a strip by the Legends and a fast break layup put Texas in front by one (106-105) with just 30 seconds left on the clock. Out of a timeout, the Armor were able to retake the lead following a reverse layup by forward Willie Reed who finished the night with 19 points.
With 19.2 seconds on the clock, Texas' Devin Ebanks hit a floating shot on the baseline to hand the Legends a one-point lead at 108-107, leaving just 4.6 seconds in regulation. Springfield's last-ditch effort came up short as a jump shot at the buzzer was off the mark, dropping the Armor to 1-7 on the season.
Along with Forbes' 33 and Reed's 19, Horner added 21 of his own which set a personal season-high. Reed went on to fill his line with 12 boards for his fourth double-double of the season.
Texas used nine three pointers while also taking advantage of 21 Armor turnovers to secure its seventh victory of the season. While Springfield outshot the Legends 54 percent to 48 percent and also held a 41-31 advantage on the glass, Ebanks' key bucket in the waning seconds proved to be the difference.
After concluding the two-game Texas swing tomorrow night against Rio Grande Valley at 8:00 p.m. EST, Springfield returns home for a 7:00 p.m. Saturday showdown with the Sioux Falls Skyforce on December 21 for the team's annual 'Season of Giving' game. For more information on the Armor, visit www.ArmorHoops.com or call (413) 746-3263. Keep up with the Armor on Facebook and Twitter !
NBA G League Stories from December 18, 2013
- Legends' Late Basket Edges Armor 108-107 - Springfield Armor
- D-Fenders Lose Close One in Overtime - Los Angeles D-Fenders
- Stampede Add Kabongo; Singler to Inactive List - Idaho Stampede
- Legends Announce Go Red for Women Night, Presented by Ryan, LLC - Texas Legends
- Iowa Energy Home Games Thursday and Sunday - Iowa Wolves
- Santa Cruz Warriors Narrowly Edge D-Fenders in Overtime - Santa Cruz Warriors
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