The Sioux Falls Skyforce defeated the Texas Legends 102-93 Saturday night. Sioux Falls never trailed and seemed sparked by the return of guard Donald Sloan following a 10-day stint with the New Orleans Hornets as they won their third straight game.
Sioux Falls (13-10) led 29-15 after the first quarter behind 10 points from Demtris Nichols. Sioux Falls led by 23 points (44-21) midway through the second quarter and went into halftime leading 52-34. Texas (11-10) struggled from the field in the first half as they only shot 26.7 percent (12-of-45).
Sioux Falls increased the lead to 26 points (71-45) with just under seven minutes to go in the third quarter but Texas went on a 15-5 run to cut the deficit to 76-60 heading into the final quarter. Sioux Falls went ahead 82-60 following an alley-oop slam dunk by Miami HEAT assignee Dexter Pittman and appeared to have the game in hand. Texas would not go down quietly though as a 3-pointer by Darius Rice cut the deficit to 10 points (95-85) with just over three minutes to go in the contest. Rice scored 18 points on six 3-pointers in the fourth quarter but it was not enough as Sioux Falls moved within 0.5 game of first place in the Central Division.
Nichols continued his strong play with 26 points, six rebounds and four assists. Pittman finished with his third straight double-double (18 points, 12 rebounds) and Sloan had a solid home debut with 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Mark Tyndale contributed eight points, nine rebounds and nine assists off the bench.
Rice scored an NBA D-League season-high 39 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Chris Roberts scored 19 points while Sean Singletary posted 14 points and seven rebounds.
Texas continues its five-game road trip against Rio Grande Valley Monday night at 7 p.m. CT. Sioux Falls visits Texas Friday night at 7 p.m. CT.
May the ‘Force Be With You!
Courtesy: Brett Hansen, Media/Public Relations Director, Sioux Falls Skyforce
