G League Grand Rapids Drive

Two-Way Players Propel Drive to Win over Wisconsin

Published on March 18, 2019 under NBA G League (G League)
Grand Rapids Drive News Release


GRAND RAPIDS - The Grand Rapids Drive (26-21) fought off a comeback by the Wisconsin Herd (12-36) to win by a 124-116 final at home Monday night. The Drive improved to 13-3 in their last 16 games, and also completed a four-game season sweep of the Herd. The Herd erased a 19-point second quarter deficit with a third quarter where they outscored the Drive 45-27, but the home team found a second wind late in the fourth.

Two-way players Kalin Lucas and Isaiah Whitehead were instrumental in the Drive's victory, combining for 56 points. Lucas scored 30 with eight rebounds, his third consecutive game scoring at least that amount of points. Other notable performers for the Drive included Marcus Thornton (20 points and six rebounds), Speedy Smith (15 points off the bench) and Adam Woodbury (13 rebounds).

The Herd featured three 20-point scorers of their own, as Michael Qualls led the way with 29 points and nine rebounds, Shevon Thompson had 20 points and 13 boards, and Xavier Munford had 22 points. Trevon Duval chipped in 15 points as well and Bonzie Colson picked up 10 points and 10 rebounds. The entire starting lineup scored in double figures and provided 96 of the team's 116 points.

Both teams shot 42 percent from the floor and under 30 percent from three-point range, so both reached their point totals in part due to great performances getting to the free throw line and executing their attempts there. The Drive were 29-of-35 from the charity stripe and the Herd 24-of-27. Lucas was 11-of-13 for the Drive and Munford and Qualls combined to go 13-of-13 for the Herd.

The Drive only out-rebounded the Herd by five despite piling up 58 rebounds, but they attacked the offensive glass to the tune of 19 offensive rebounds and turned the ball over just 11 times, which allowed them to hoist 104 field goal attempts as a team despite their high free throw total.

Grand Rapids improved its shot at a second consecutive playoff berth with the win, and will next take on the Delaware Blue Coats again at the DeltaPlex on Wednesday night. The Herd are back in action tomorrow night for their second-to-last game of the season, a road contest with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

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