Los Angeles Snaps Losing Streak Against Reno

Published on January 22, 2009 under NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release


EL SEGUNDO, CA - The Los Angeles D-Fenders defeated the Reno Bighorns, 119-109, Thursday at STAPLES Center to break a seven-game losing streak.

Los Angeles (5-16) opened up the fourth quarter with a 12-1 spurt to break open a tight game which saw 20 lead changes and 22 ties. Reno dropped to 8-15 on the season with the loss.

"It feels good to get a win;" said D-Fenders guard Joe Crawford. "(The newest D-Fenders acquisitions) were definitely the difference. Being in the right spots at the right time; we finally have another big guy that knows how to play the game."

Brandon Heath led the way for the D-Fenders off the bench scoring 26 points; CJ Giles (22 & eight rebounds) and Joe Crawford (21) also hit the 20+ plateau. Gabriel Hughes notched his second double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 boards. Newly acquired D-Fenders Ryan Forehan-Kelly, Longar Longar and Marcus White contributed to the victory with 22 points.

Antonio Meeking dropped in 22 points to pace the Bighorns in defeat, while Patrick Ewing Jr. scored 21 off the bench. Damone Brown nearly recorded a triple-double accruing 19 points, 8 rebounds and eight assists.

The first quarter saw big runs by each team. Giles scored eight points early in the period to spur the D-Fenders on a 14-3 run, but Damone Brown capped off a 15-4 rally for Reno by knocking down a three point shot with 0.3 seconds remaining, tying the game at 22 to end the quarter.

Los Angeles and Reno went back and forth in the second and third quarters using big performances from their top scorers. Heath tallied 13 of his 17 first half points in the second quarter including a buzzer beater of his own, hitting a 20-foot fade away jumper to send the teams to the locker room knotted up at 54 apiece. The third quarter was a battle between each teams leading scorer as Meeking scored 12 points in the period overcoming Crawford's 13 for Los Angeles to take a two point Bighorns edge into the fourth quarter, 88-86.

The D-Fenders will travel to Anaheim for the beginning of a home-and-home with the Arsenal on Saturday night. Reno continues their California road trip with a matchup against the Jam in Bakersfield.

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