Skyforce Outlast Raptors 905 for 111-102 OT Win
Published on December 22, 2015 under NBA G League (G League)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release
Sioux Falls, SD - The Sioux Falls Skyforce (9-3) defeated Raptors 905 (5-10) in overtime 111-102 in a game that saw 23 lead changes and 13 ties at the Sanford Pentagon on Tuesday night.
The teams entered overtime tied at 102, but the Skyforce closed the game on a 9-0 run, not allowing Raptors 905 to score a single point in the extra period on their way to their sixth straight home victory.
DeAndre Liggins (18 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and four steals) finished just one assist shy of notching his second consecutive triple-double in the win for the Skyforce. He has also recorded a steal in every game this season and now has eight steals in his last two contests.
Byron Mullens (22 points, 11 rebounds) and Nigel Spikes (eight points, 10 rebounds, seven blocks) took full advantage of their extra playing time for a short-handed Skyforce team. Mullens set a new season high in both points and rebounds, while Spikes set season and career highs in points, rebounds, and blocks in the game.
Turnovers continued to be a problem for Raptors 905 as Sioux Falls forced 12 of them in the first half and 23 total in the game. Raptors 905 came into the game ranked second in the NBA Development League averaging 19.4 turnovers per game, while the Skyforce entered the game averaging a league best 20.8 forced turnovers per game. Sioux Falls has now exceeded their forced turnover average in back to back games and have held opponents to less than 50 percent shooting in every game this season.
Rodney McGruder (18 points, eight rebounds) contributed to another well-rounded offensive performance as five different players scored in double digits and every active Skyforce player notched at least one field goal in the game. McGruder set a new career high in three-point field goals made with five in the game and has now scored in double figures nine out of 12 games this season.
Toronto Raptors assignee Norman Powell (26 points, six assists) continued to score the ball well for Raptors 905. He entered the game averaging 26.5 points in two NBADL games since being assigned on December 19th. Scott Suggs scored 11 points and has now scored in double figures in 14 of 15 games this season for Raptors 905. Bruno Caboclo (17 points) and Ronald Roberts Jr. (21 points, 17 rebounds, three steals) also played well in the Raptors 905 loss.
The Skyforce will look to win their seventh straight home game in a Christmas Day match up against the Oklahoma City Blue (2-12) on Friday, December 25th. Toronto returns to action on Saturday, December 26 at Canton.
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