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Reno Bighorns vs. Grand Rapids Drive, January 9, 2017
Monday, Jan. 9, 2016
Kyle Jones: kjones@renobighorns.com
BIGHORNS SHUTDOWN THE DRIVE
Reno, Nev.—- The Reno Bighorns (8-13) defeated the Grand Rapids Drive (11-12) 107-101 Monday night at the Reno Events Center.
Sacramento Kings Affiliate Player Lamar Patterson led the Bighorns with 24 points, seven rebounds and eight assists while affiliate player Isaiah Cousins followed Patterson closely scoring 19 points, grabbing seven rebounds and adding eight assists. Kings Assignment Player Skal Labissiere logged a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Kevin Murphy paced the Drive with 23 points and 10 rebounds while Ramon Harris had 21 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
The first quarter was a tightly contested battle that saw eight lead changed and four ties. The teams matched each other point-for-point knotting the score up at 20 at the 2:52 before the Bighorns pulled away to have a 28-22 lead heading into the second frame.
The Bighorns controlled the second frame, leading the Drive by more than nine in the quarter behind a 52.6% shooting effort compared to the Drive shooting 40.9%. Papagiannis lead the Bighorns in the frame scoring eight points going 4-5 from the field. The Bighorns went into the locker room at the half with a 52-46 lead.
The Drive rallied back coming out of the break to edge the Bighorns by one mid-way through the third frame. The Bighorns pulled away after a triple from Cousins and Patterson to lead by nine at the 2:00 mark. Drive’s Jordan Crawford scored three to cut the Drive’s deficit to six before Patterson scored three after stepping to the line twice to hold a nine-point lead over the Drive at the end of the third quarter. Labissiere and Cousins combined for 20 points in the frame.
The momentum remained for the Bighorns to begin the final frame behind a 10-2 run to open their lead to as many as 17 by the 8:07 mark. Fueled by a 10-point spurt from Ray McCallum, the Drive cut their deficit to four with 1:36 left in play. The Bighorns would not relinquish the lead to secure a 107-101 victory over the Drive.
Patterson scored 17 of his 24 points in the second half.
The Bighorns will return to the Reno Events Center on Wednesday, Jan. 11 to face the Austin Spurs at 7 pm.
–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.