Stars Fight to Finish Before Falling to Go-Go in First Showcase Cup Contest
Published on December 20, 2022 under NBA G League (G League)
Salt Lake City Stars News Release
LAS VEGAS - The Salt Lake City Stars, the official NBA G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, fell to the Capital City Go-Go 109-104 tonight in their first of two games in the NBA G League Showcase Cup hosted at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Four players finished in double figures for the Stars. Frank Jackson led the Stars with 22 points on 7-of-15 from the field and shooting 4-of-6 from behind the arc. Utah Jazz two-way player Johnny Juzang made his debut, returning from a four-week-long injury adding 19 points on 7-of-12 (.583) from the field and 3-of-5 (.600) from three-point range. The guard also tallied 5 rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes. Stars forward Paris Bass led the team in rebounds with seven while tallying 15 points and four assists. Elijah Lufile recorded a personal-best 14 points in 19 minutes off the bench.
Capital City Go-Go center Vernon Carey Jr. led with a game-high 35 points on 11-of-16 from the field along with a team-high eight rebounds. Quenton Jackson posted 13 points off the bench, while Devon Dotson and Kris Dunn scored 12 points respectively.
There were six total lead changes and six ties in the game as the Stars and the Go-Go battled it out basket-to-basket. The Go-Go claimed the first quarter with the Stars trailing behind 32-25. However, Salt Lake City's defense held Capital City close, tying 44-44 with 3:24 to play in the second. In his debut for the Stars, Christian Vital netted a three to break the tie and take the lead 49-44. The Go-Go and the Stars traded baskets until the final moments of the first half entering the break 51-51. Jeenathan Williams opened the third frame for the Stars from behind the arc. The Stars extended their advantage in the third to as many as 9 points as guard Isaiah Miller hit a shot at the buzzer to enter the final period leading 84-75. Capital City made a final push in the fight to finish as they hit the target score of 109, claiming the victory with Salt Lake City only four points shy.
The Stars held the advantage in field goals (38-31), three-pointers (11-8), steals (10-3), and blocks (3-0), while the Go-Go grabbed more rebounds (39-33), tallied more points in the paint (44-40) and netted more penalty shots (22-9).
The Stars will return to the Showcase court on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 3 p.m. (PT) to face the Grand Rapids Gold in their final Cup contest, which will be available LIVE on the NBA App.
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