Reno Bighorns vs. Northern Arizona Suns, January 7, 2017

Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017

Kyle Jones: kjones@renobighorns.com

PATTERSON BEATS BUZZER IN OVERTIME TO SECURE BIGHORNS THE WIN

RENO, Nev. —- The Reno Bighorns (7-13) handed the Northern Arizona Suns (10-10) their ninth straight loss Saturday night in a buzzer-beater 91-89 finish at the Reno Events Center.

Kings Affiliate Player Lamar Patterson led the Bighorns with 31 points, eight rebounds and five assists while affiliate player Isaiah Cousins notched 23 points, three rebounds and three assists. Kings assignee Skal Labissiere scored 19 points and added eight rebounds.

Elijah Milsap paced the Suns with 20 points, six rebounds and four assists while Johnny O’Bryant logged a double-double with 15 points, seven rebounds and 15 assists.

The Suns took control of the game early, leading the Bighorns 20-12 at the mid-way point in the first quarter. The Bighorns rallied back to tie the game at 28 with 1.1 on the clock. Patterson made a lay-up with 1.0 remaining in play to give the Bighorns a 30-28 lead to end the first quarter.

The Bighorns pulled away from the Suns leading by six early in the frame after a lay-up from Kadeem Jack and A jumper from Pe’Shon Howard. The Suns took control of the lead after going on an 11-2 run to take a 39-36 lead at the 5:39 mark. The two teams exchanged buckets the remainder of the frame with the Suns going into the locker room at the half with a 45-42 lead.

The Suns kept the Bighorns at bay, leading by as many as 14 in the third quarter. The Bighorns headed up in the fourth quarter outscoring the Suns 22-11. Cousins opened up the final frame with a triple. The Bighorns chipped away at the Suns lead getting within two points at the 6:00 mark. The Suns would respond to lead the Bighorns by seven with 4:09 left in play. The Bighorns went on a 5-0 run to make it a two-point game at the 1:35 mark. Cousins stepped to the line and scored two to tie the game at 85. Shaquille Harrison would attempt a three with less than six seconds in play but would come up short to force the game into overtime. Cousins scored 13 points in the fourth quarter.

Harrison made a lay-up in the opening minute of the first overtime frame. Patterson responded with a three at the 1:50 mark before Harrison made to free-throws after being fouled by Labissiere to take a one-point advantage over the Bighorns. On the final possession, Renaldo Major in-bounded the ball to Patterson with 4.0 in play, Patterson sunk a triple with less than one second in play securing a 91-89 Bighorns victory over the Suns.

The Bighorns will host the Grand Rapid Drive on Monday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.

–bighorns—

About the Reno Bighorns:

The Reno Bighorns are a member of the NBA Development League, the official minor league of the NBA. The Bighorns are affiliated with the Sacramento Kings. Season tickets for the 2016-17 season are on sale now! For more information, call the Bighorns front office at 775-853-8220 or visit RenoBighorns.com. Follow us on Twitter @renobighorns and “like” the Bighorns on Facebook at facebook.com/bighornshoops. The NBA Development League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 22 teams with direct affiliations with NBA franchises for the 2016-17 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. An all-time high 38 percent of all NBA players at the end of the 2015-16 season boasted NBA D-League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. Fans can watch all NBA D-League games on nbadleague.com.