NAZ Suns No Match for Legends in Texas
February 29, 2020 - NBA G League (G League)
Northern Arizona Suns News Release
FRISCO, Texas - The Northern Arizona Suns had no answer for Cameron Payne Saturday night in their 131-110 loss at the Texas Legends.
Payne achieved a triple-double at Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas, recording 18 points (8-16 FG), 19 assists, 10 rebounds, and two steals. The Legends swept the season-series 4-0, winning their third straight game to improve to 22-18. The Suns (8-31) dropped their 11th straight game.
Following a career-high performance on Wednesday, ShawnDre Jones outdid himself tonight with 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-8 from distance. It's the first time Jones has led the team in scoring this season, as he added three assists.
Aaron Epps recorded his fourth double-double of the season and the 15th of his career with 16 points (4-9 3PT) and a season-high 14 rebounds, to go with four assists and two steals.
Five other Suns scored in double figures, including Jalen Lecque (15 points, 7-15 FG), Matt Farrell (13 points, 5-6 FG, 3-3 3PT, five assists), Tariq Owens (13 points, four rebounds), Anthony Lawrence II (12 points, five rebounds, two blocks), and Ike Nwamu (11 points, 4-8 FG, seven rebounds). Ahmed Hill nabbed five steals, adding nine points.
The first quarter was an action-packed affair, with both teams shooting 50 percent from the field, and the Suns trailing by just six, 36-30, thanks to a three-point make at the buzzer by Hill. The Legends opened a 16-point lead in the second quarter, forcing the Suns to just five points in the first six minutes. Texas led 65-51 at halftime.
The Legends began the third quarter on a 14-5 run to lead by 23. The Suns trailed 91-70 before they went on a 16-3 run to get within eight. In the fourth quarter in a 10-point game, the Legends went on an 8-0 run and never looked back.
Texas made 52-of-100 (.520) from the field compared to Northern Arizona's 42-of-98 (.429) clip. The Legends made 18-of-41 (.439) from beyond the arc and outrebounded NAZ 59-43.
Moses Brown led the Legends with 25 points on 11-of-16 from the field, to go with 10 rebounds. Dakota Mathias scored 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-7 from deep. Antonius Cleveland had 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, four steals and three blocks.
The Suns will next face off against the Iowa Wolves back in Prescott Valley on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. MT. The Legends next play at the Austin Spurs on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. MT.
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