Skyforce Wins Another Close One
January 3, 2006 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release
Sioux Falls, SD (January 2, 2006) - The Sioux Falls Skyforce defeated the Idaho Stampede tonight 112-108 (4.5, 2.5) to move to 12-10 on the season. Stephen Graham returned to the âForce after a short stint with the Houston Rockets and his stay in Sioux Falls will not be long if he plays like he did tonight. Graham torched the Stampede for a career-high 37 points and grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds to will the âForce to victory. Idaho dropped to 12-10 with the loss but still remains in third place.
With three new players in the lineup it was interesting to see how the new look âForce would play together as a team. The first quarter went back and forth until the âForce finally took a small lead and won the opening quarter 30-24 behind 13 points from Graham. The âForce would push the lead to 10 points on three different occasions but could not hold off Idaho as they stormed back to lead 49-47 with 3:00 remaining in the first half. Graham made a late bucket to give the âForce a 60-54 lead heading into the locker rooms. The teams tied the second quarter at 30 a piece. The âForce would once again push the lead to double digits (66-56) early in the third quarter and had their largest lead of the game as they went ahead 88-75 with 1:26 remaining in the third. However, two three-pointers from David Jackson and a dunk with 0.5 seconds left by Greg Clausen cut the lead to 88-83 and Idaho won the quarter 29-28. The teams traded baskets the entire fourth quarter and it was anyone's game with 2:27 to go as the score was tied at 104. The âForce would make key shots down the stretch and held on for another close victory at home. Idaho did salvage the fourth quarter as Eddy Barlow hit a shot at the buzzer to win the quarter 25-24.
The Skyforce's next game is on Tuesday, January 3rd, at home against the Yakama Sun Kings. Tip-off is set for 7:05 pm at the Sioux Falls Arena.
Game Highlights:
SKYFORCE: Stephen Graham 37 points, 13 rebounds
Brandon Hunter 16 points, 9 rebounds
STAMPEDE: David Jackson 21 points, 6-for-12 three-pointers
Eric Chenowith 9 points, 13 rebounds
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Group tickets and mini-plans are on sale for the 2005-06 season. For details call a Skyforce representative at (605) 332-0605.
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