Reno Bighorns vs. Santa Cruz Warriors, February 24, 2017

Friday, Feb. 24, 2017                                                                                                            Kyle Jones: kjones@renobighorns.com

BIGHORNS COMEBACK FROM 25 POINT DEFICIT TO DEFEAT THE WARRIORS

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —- The Reno Bighorns (13-23) defeated the Santa Cruz Warriors (19-17) 109-108 Friday night at the Golden 1 Center. The Bighorns established a new single-game franchise attendance record with a crowd of 5,106 packing Golden 1 Center in the first-ever D-League game on Sacramento’s home floor.

Gary Neal (12-20 FG) led the Bighorns with 41 points and eight rebounds while Sacramento Kings Assignment Player Georgios Papagiannis recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Reggie Hearn notched 17 points and two rebounds. .

James Southerland paced the Warriors with 27 points and 11 rebounds while Phil Pressey had 12 points six rebounds and 10 assists.

The teams kept the score close opening the first frame before the Warriors went on a run to hold an 11-point advantage at the midway point, the Warriors would hold the advantage over the Bighorns through the entirety of the period. Despite the Bighorns outscoring the Warriors 26-20 in the second frame, Santa Cruz went into the locker room with a 17-point cushion. The Warriors led by as much as 25 in the second frame.

The Bighorns went on a 17-7 run coming out of the break to cut the deficit to seven at the 6:41 mark. Reno would gain momentum and get within five points after back-to-back triples from Hearn and Neal. The Bighorns went into the final frame trailing Santa Cruz 77-68.

With 7:01 remaining in the final frame, Reno went on a 13-6 run to tie the Warriors after a pull-up jump-shot from Neal at the 3:09 mark. The lone lead change in the game would come from a made free throw from Papagiannis at the 2:31 mark. The Warriors would tie the Bighorns one final time off a made three-pointer from Henton, but would never take back a lead. In the final second of regulation, a made three-point shot from Scott Wood brought the Warriors within one point with time expiring, resulting in a Bighorns victory. Gary Neal scored 23 of his 41 points in the final frame.

The Bighorns outscored the Warriors 72-54 in the second half and finished the night going 100% from the free-throw line.

Reno will host the Windy City Bulls on Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. for their 2017 Education Game.

–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.

Reno Bighorns vs. Salt Lake City Stars, February 3, 2017

Friday, Feb. 3, 2017                                                                                                            Kyle Jones: kjones@renobighorns.com

BIGHORNS FALL TO THE STARS

RENO, Nev. —- The Reno Bighorns (11-20) fell 121-104 to the Salt Lake City Stars (10-20) Friday night at the in front of a near sold out crowd at the Reno Events Center.

Sacramento Kings Assignment Player Georgios Papagiannis led the Bighorns with 22 points and five rebounds while Pe’Shon Howard notched 20 points and five rebounds. Kings affiliate player Isaiah Cousins scored 20 points, grabbed five rebounds and added five assists.

Sundiata Gaines paced the Stars logging a double-double with 27 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds while Joel Bolomboy, who is on assignment from the Utah Jazz had 20 points, 17 rebounds and three assists.

The Stars took control of the game early going on a 17-5 run to lead the Bighorns by 14 at the 7:25 mark. The Bighorns would get within six points before the Stars ran away with the lead to have a 32-18 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The Stars kept the Bighorns at bay with a double-digit lead until the Reggie Hearn sunk a triple with 6:42 left in play in the first half to cut the deficit to nine. The Stars held the advantage over the Bighorns the remainder of the frame having a 12-point cushion heading into the locker room. Papagiannis ended the first half with 14 points.

The Bighorns went on a 9-2 run coming out of the break to edge the Stars 64-63 behind a three from Howard at the 9:23 mark. The Stars responded with a late 22-4 run to ensure a 14-point advantage heading into the final frame.

Howard opened the fourth quarter with a jumper before Will Davis stepped to the line to make a free throw to cut the deficit to 11. The Bighorns were unable to overcome the Stars lead, ultimately dropping 121-104 to Salt Lake City.

The Bighorns will next travel to Erie to face the Bayhawks on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 4 P.M PST.

–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.

Reno Bighorns vs. Iowa Energy, February 1, 2017

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017                                                                                                  Kyle Jones:  kjones@renobighorns.com

HOWARD’S SEASON-HIGH NOT ENOUGH TO HOLD OFF THE ENERGY

RENO, Nev. —- The Reno Bighorns (11-19) fell to the Iowa Energy (7-21) 106-104 Wednesday night at the Reno Events Center.

Pe’Shon Howard led the Bighorns with 29 points and three assists as Reggie Hearn notched 19 points and seven rebounds. Sacramento Kings Assignment Player Georgios Papagiannis followed Hearn closely scoring 18 points and grabbing four rebounds.

Cartier Martin paced the Energy with 24 points and eight rebounds while Wayne Selden and Wade Baldwin poured in 20 points each.

After a tight first quarter, the Energy led by one, 30-29. Howard led all scorers in the first frame, netting 15 of his 29 points on 6-7 shooting.

The head-to-head battle carried through to a tightly-contested second frame with the Bighorns winning the quarter 26-23. Neither team led by more than four points in the frame, despite the quarter seeing five lead changes and three ties. The Bighorns went into the locker room at the half leading the Energy 55-53.

The Bighorns held a nine-point lead over the Energy after going on a 9-2 run behind a triple from Hearn in the opening two minutes of the third quarter. The Bighorn would not relinquish the lead in the frame, despite the Energy edging the Bighorns by one twice in the frame. The Bighorns held a one-point advantage over the Energy to enter the final quarter.

Baldwin stepped to the line after being fouled by Howard in the opening seconds of fourth quarter, tying the score at 78. The Bighorns pulled away by four points at the 10:23 mark. The two teams exchanged the lead five times and tied four times in nine minutes with the Bighorns having a 104-103 lead with 54.4 left in play. Martin, Selden and Wes Washpun both went to the line after being fouled to make one-point each to retake control of the lead. The Bighorns would in-bound the ball with .8 left in play but would not get a shot off in time, giving the Energy a 106-104 victory.

The Bighorns will host the Salt Lake City Stars on Friday, Feb. 3 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.