Skyforce Top Drive in Dragic's Debut
March 6, 2015 - NBA G League (G League)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release
Sioux Falls, SD - In his first game with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Zoran Dragic, on assignment from the Miami HEAT, finished with 22 points, five assists and four rebounds in Sioux Falls' 117-108 win over the Grand Rapids Drive.
With 9:25 remaining in the first quarter Grand Rapids (17-20) led Sioux Falls (21-17) 9-8. On the next Skyforce possession, a reverse dunk from Scotty Hopson gave the Skyforce a 10-9 lead, a lead which they would never relinquish. By the end of the quarter, the Skyforce had extended their lead to 8 and led the Drive 34-26. Scotty Hopson continued his scoring wayS with a game high 12 first quarter points on 5-6 shooting from the field.
Sioux Falls started the second quarter on a 10-0 run and led Grand Rapids 44-26 after Dragic made a three-pointer with 9:26 remaining in the quarter. The Skyforce lead would reach as high as 21 points before Diante Garrett's three-pointer in the waning seconds of the half made the score 63-45. Andre Dawkins' 11 second quarter points were key as the Skyforce outscored the Drive 29-19 in the quarter.
The Skyforce lead would hover around 20 for the entirety of the third quarter and they led the Drive 87-68 going into the final quarter. A quick 5-0 run to start the final quarter gave the Skyforce a 92-68 lead with 10:48 remaining in the game. A late flurry from the Drive brought the final margin to nine as the Skyforce finished the night with a 117-108 victory. Dragic would score 11 of his 22 points in the final quarter.
On his way to scoring 22 points in his Skyforce debut, Dragic shot 8-21 from the field including 3-9 from three-point range. Scotty Hopson continued his stellar play by scoring a game high 23 points on 9-15 shooting. Larry Drew II (18 points), Andre Dawkins (16 points) and Bryon Mullens (13 points) were the only other Skyforce players to score in double-figures. Drew II also had a game high nine assists.
Diante Garrett's 19 points led a balanced Drive attack that saw seven players score in double-figures. To go along with his 19 points, Garrett also tallied team highs of six rebounds and four assists. Stefhon Hannah (16 points) and Kevin Murphy (15 points) both came off the bench to score in double-figures.
The Skyforce and Drive are back in action tomorrow night at the Sanford Pentagon. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
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