Suns Start Hot Before Dropping Preseason Game at Lakers
October 27, 2018 - NBA G League (G League)
Northern Arizona Suns News Release
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - The Northern Arizona Suns and South Bay Lakers squared off Saturday afternoon for each team's lone preseason game to tune up before the 2018-19 regular season begins next week.
The Suns started as hot as a team possibly can, forcing three turnovers and making their first five shots within 1:55 of game action to take a 12-0 lead. The Suns cooled off considerably the rest of the way, dropping the preseason game 118-89 in El Segundo, California.
Wayne McCullough led the Suns in scoring with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, to go with three assists and three steals off the bench in 18 minutes. The local tryout was one of 13 Suns to score and one of 15 Suns to play.
Two other NAZ Suns notched double-digit scoring, as Peter Jok had 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting (3-of-5 from distance), three rebounds and two assists. Shaquille Thomas dropped 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting and three rebounds off the bench.
Los Angeles Lakers assignee Isaac Bonga led all scorers with 19 points on 5-of-9 shooting (8-of-10 from the free throw line), nine rebounds, five steals and two blocks. Jemerrio Jones was the lone player to achieve a double-double, as he recorded 12 points on 6-of-11 shooting and 12 rebounds. Derrick Griffin (14 points) and Marcus Allen (11 points) also saw double figures for the Lakers.
After falling behind 12-0, South Bay quickly closed to within two, going on a 14-2 run over the next five minutes. The Suns led after the first quarter 31-29 and saw their last lead of the game at 41-40 with 6:42 remaining in the second quarter. It was all South Bay from there, who outscored Northern Arizona 90-58 over the final three quarters, even taking a 37-point lead in the last minute of the game.
Northern Arizona shot 32-of-82 (.390), including 14-of-39 (.359) from distance in Saturday's preseason game. The Suns' biggest struggle came in the turnover battle, giving up possessions 34 times, which led to 31 South Bay points.
The Suns started Jok, George King (eight points, five rebounds, four assists), Daxter Miles Jr. (nine points), Derek Cooke Jr. (six points, five rebounds), and Aaron Epps (two points, five rebounds, two blocks).
The Northern Arizona Suns begin their third season in the NBA G League on Nov. 3 against the Santa Cruz Warriors at the Prescott Valley Event Center. Single-game tickets start at just $10 apiece, with plenty of other discounted pricing options, including the team's 4 on the Floor package, Flex Plan, Group Experience packages, or season ticket memberships. More information about all of the NAZ Suns ticket options can be found at www.nazsuns.com/tickets, emailing sales@nazsuns.com, or calling 928-772-SUNS.
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NBA G League Stories from October 27, 2018
- Vipers Announce Pre-Season Game against Los Laguneros - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- Suns Start Hot Before Dropping Preseason Game at Lakers - Northern Arizona Suns
- South Bay Heats up in Win over the Suns - South Bay Lakers
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