Wizards Down Skyforce On New Year's Eve
December 31, 2009 - NBA G League (G League)
Dakota Wizards News Release
Bismarck, ND - One night after being blown out 114-97 in Sioux Falls, the Dakota Wizards returned home to the Bismarck Civic Center to earn a 17-point victory of their own over the Skyforce. 3,792 fans turned out for the annual New Year's Eve game to witness a 108-91 Dakota win.
After a series of poor-shooting performances on the road, Dakota came out firing on all cylinders, putting up 27 points in the frame to jump out to a six point lead. Newcomer Connor Atchley notched ten points in the period to fuel the effort.
Sioux Falls began to chip away at Dakota's lead in the second, with a David Bailey layup with 2:52 left in the half tying the game at 44. Atchley's own layup at the buzzer put the Wizards up six heading into the locker room.
Dakota picked up right where they left off in the third period. An 8-0 run to start the half extended the Wizards' lead to 14 points. Dakota continued to pour it on in the third, with three straight Marcus Dove baskets eventually giving the Wizards a 29-point lead.
Sioux Falls managed to cut the lead to 17 before time expired, but it was too little, too late. Dakota's Maurice Baker scored 15 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out 9 assists, barely missing out on a triple double. In all, seven Wizards scored in double figures. Cheyne Gadson, the newest Wizard who only arrived in Bismarck earlier in the day, contributed two points in his debut. The Skyforce also had six players finish with double figures in scoring, led by David Bailey's 16.
Up next for Dakota is the NBA Development League Showcase in Boise, Idaho They will take on Reno and Springfield in the four day event. Sioux Falls plays a pair of games in Tulsa before heading to Boise to meet Maine and Austin.
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