G League Wisconsin Herd

Wisconsin Downs Erie 139-120 and Collects 20th Win of the Season

Published on January 16, 2020 under NBA G League (G League)
Wisconsin Herd News Release


OSHKOSH, Wis - The Wisconsin Herd (20-5), the NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, collected its league-best 20th win of the season with a 139-120 victory over the Erie BayHawks (8-17) on Thursday afternoon inside Menominee Nation Arena.

Five Herd players scored in double figures, including three players who posted double-doubles. Jaylen Adams led the way and scored a team-high 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting and added five assists. Dragan Bender, who was on assignment from the Milwaukee Bucks, totaled 23 points, five rebounds and two steals in 20 minutes of action, while Cameron Reynolds posted his first double-double of the season and had 22 points and 10 rebounds which tied his career-high. Luke Maye notched his second consecutive double-double and recorded 18 points and season-high 14 rebounds, and Jemerrio Jones nearly tallied a triple-double and registered 11 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. Shannon Bogues and D.J. Hogg pitched in with nine points apiece.

For the BayHawks, Vitto Brown led all scorers and poured in a game-high 29 points to go with seven rebounds. Jalen Adams manufactured 27 points and nine assists, while Scottie Lindsey posted a stat line of 23 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Quinton Chievous and Aubrey Dawkins each had 11 points.

Offense was aplenty at the outset as the two teams combined to score 31 points (13-22 FG) in the opening five minutes of the contest. Adams had the hot hand early on as he made all four of his field goals while scoring eight first quarter points to lead all players. With under 30 seconds to play in the period, Wisconsin increased its lead to eight which served as the high-water mark for the quarter. However, Erie capped the quarter on a high note as Adams scored the final points of the period on a 16-foot pullup jumper. It total, the Herd shot 55% from the field and led 36-30 at the end of the first stanza.

Bender extended the Wisconsin lead to nine after knocking down a long ball to begin the second quarter. Moments later, Adams followed with a three of his own which resulted in the Herd's first double-digit lead of the night. Wisconsin made a trio of threes in the first two and a half minutes and raced out to 47-32 lead upon reaching the first media timeout of the period. The Herd's 15-point advantage wound up being the largest of the first half, but with 4:41 remaining in the half, the BayHawks managed to make it a seven-point game on a three by Adams. In response, Wisconsin scored 10 of the next 12 points and made it a 15-point game once more. In summation, the Herd thrived in the first half to the tune of 53% shooting and 10 made threes which resulted in a 74-64 lead at the intermission.

Wisconsin's 10-point advantage persisted for the first three minutes of the second half, but with just over nine minutes on the clock, the Herd increased its lead to 17 on three consecutive baskets by Reynolds and Hogg. Wisconsin furthered its advantage to 20 and ultimately led by 26 points in the frame. Dragan Bender served as the catalyst as he made five field goals and tallied 11 points. For the quarter, the Herd scored 39 points, outpaced Erie by 15 and led 113-88 heading into the final 12 minutes.

In the early portions of the fourth quarter, Wisconsin further extended its advantage past the 30-point threshold. The Herd's lead capped at the 33-point mark on Adams' fourth three-pointer of the afternoon. The BayHawks outscored Wisconsin by six, but the Herd still shot the ball well in the period. Wisconsin led the game from start to finish and shot 50% in each of the fourth quarters. The Herd made half its field goals for the second straight game, and as a result, Wisconsin collected its third-largest margin of victory this season.

Wisconsin's 20-5 record through the first 25 games of the 2019-20 season ties the 2007 Idaho Stampede and 2009 Iowa Energy for the second-best record at this juncture of the season. In addition, Wisconsin is now 2-0 against Erie this season and 4-4 all-time.

The Herd will enjoy six days off before going head-to-head with the Grand Rapids Drive next Wednesday, Jan. 22. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM CT and can be viewed on MYNEW32.

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