Skyforce keeps Austin winless
December 22, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release
SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Dec. 22 - Andre Brown racked up his ninth double-double of the season with 28 points and 14 rebounds as Sioux Falls kept the Toros winless on the season with a 106-100 win Friday at the Sioux Falls Arena.
"Once again I thought Andre played a great game," Sioux Falls Skyforce head coach Mo McHone said. "It kind of starts with him and we kind of play around him."
The Skyforce's guards played well around Brown as Elton Nesbitt, Frank Williams and Vincent Grier combined to help pull out the victory for Sioux Falls (7-5). Austin (0-10) took the lead with eight minutes left, but the Skyforce trio led the team to a victory. Nesbit scored several lay-ups while Williams hit a three-pointer over an outstretched Brock Gillespie to put the Skyforce ahead 102-95 with two minutes left. Grier sealed the game with his free throws in the final minutes.
"Give him [Grier] credit tonight," McHone said. "To me that's very impressive that a kid can step up like that and make those free throws."
Grier finished with 19 points while Nesbitt contributed 18 and 12 from Williams
"Frank made a lucky shot," McHone said. "Nesbitt came in and gave us some good minutes. It's good to see somebody other than your starters can come in and contribute at the end of the game."
Grier gained the early lead for the Skyforce with 11 points in the first quarter. Both teams had their troubles as Austin shot just 50 percent (8-of-16) from the floor while Sioux Falls struggled from the charity strip hitting 37 percent (3-of-8). Sioux Falls turned to their steadfast, Brown, who finished the quarter with two consecutive buckets to end the quarter up 29-24.
Sioux Falls extended their lead in the second quarter to as many as 11, but forward Jamar Smith kept the Toros in it. Smith posted 12 points and six rebounds in the quarter to draw Austin within four. A buzzer beater by guard Elton Nesbitt gave the Skyforce a 56-46 lead at half.
Austin used a 16-8 run to start the third quarter to take a short-lived lead at the 6:50 mark 65-64. The run was fueled by the shooting of Gillespie and Clack. Both hit two three-pointers in the quarter as the team went 6-of-8 from behind the arc in the quarter. Elder chipped in nine points as Austin ended the quarter down 81-78.
Austin looks for their first win as they host Los Angeles Saturday night. Sioux Falls travels to Bismarck to face Dakota Saturday night. Both tips are scheduled for 7 p.m.
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