G League Sioux Falls Skyforce

Sioux Falls Sets New Record with 39th Victory

March 29, 2016 - NBA G League (G League)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release


The Sioux Falls Skyforce (39-9) pulled away from the Iowa Energy (24-24) in the second half to earn a 125-107 victory, setting a new NBA Development League record for most wins in a single season. Since becoming the sole affiliate of the Miami HEAT, the Skyforce now have 99 wins in the last three seasons combined, marking the most wins by any team in the NBA D-League in that span.

After a back-and-forth first half of basketball that saw 10 ties and seven lead changes, Sioux Falls was able to pull away in the second half to earn their ninth consecutive home victory.

The Skyforce offense was centered around DeAndre Liggins (23 points, 10 assists), who recorded one of the team's two double-doubles on Tuesday night. Liggins, who came into the game ranked fourth in the NBA D-League in assists per game with an average of 6.9, has now recorded double digit assists in four of his last six games.

Jarnell Stokes matched Liggins' team-high point total with 23 points in the contest, and Keith Benson recorded Sioux Falls' other double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds off of the bench. Briante Weber (10 points, nine assists, four rebounds) came one assist shy of recording a double-double of his own, and Rodney McGruder (21 points, six rebounds) recorded double digit points for the 38th time this season.

James Ennis (21 points, five rebounds) and Ramon Harris (23 points, five rebounds) kept the Energy within striking distance for much of the game, and Andrew Harrison finished the game with his season average of 18 points, making five of his eight shot attempts in the loss.

Seven different players scored in double figures for the Skyforce, while six different players reached that mark for the Energy. However, points in the paint proved to be a key factor, as Sioux Falls outscored Iowa 54-36 in the contest. The Skyforce are now 35-3 when outscoring their opponents in the paint this season, and have held their opponents under 50 percent shooting 41 times on the year.

Sioux Falls will play Iowa for the second straight game on Thursday, March 31, but the home-court advantage will shift to the Energy's favor, as both teams travel to Des Moines for their next matchup. Iowa has proven to be a difficult opponent all year for the Skyforce, as they are one of only two teams to have beaten Sioux Falls more than once this season. However, the Skyforce have won the last three matchups with the Energy, and will look to continue their success on Thursday night.

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