Reno Bighorns vs. Los Angeles D-Fenders, March 23, 2016

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Media Contact: Kyle Jones: kjones@renobighorns.com

LEDO NETS 29 AS BIGHORNS ROLL PAST D-FENDERS

RENO, NV —- The NBA D-League Western Conference Leader Reno Bighorns (29-16) defeated the Los Angeles D-Fenders (26-19) 118-111 Wednesday night at the Reno Events Center.

Ricky Ledo notched 29 points and added five rebounds to lead the Bighorns. Sacramento Kings assignment player, Duje Dukan, netted 25 points and grabbed two rebounds as David Stockton scored 23 points and added four rebounds and six assists. Reggie Hearn had a near double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds.

Ryan Gomes led the D-Fenders with 33 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Vander Blue added 24 points and six rebounds while Justin Harper logged a double-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.

The D-Fenders would jump out to a 4 point lead early in the opening frame before the Bighorns would come back to tie the score at nine at the 8:00 mark. Both teams would trade buckets for the remainder of the first quarter, with the D-Fenders entering the second quarter with a 32-25 lead.

The D-Fenders would maintain their advantage over the Bighorns entering the second quarter. After the Bighorns went on an 11-2 run, they would close the deficit to 49-47 with 3:53 remaining in the first half. The Bighorns won the frame 30-26 trailing the D-Fenders 58-55 going into the locker room at the half. Stockton and Ledo netted 12 points each in the quarter.

Trailing with 4:11 remaining in the third, a 10-2 run spurred by triples from Dukan and Ledo gave the Bighorns a one point advantage with 58 seconds remaining, giving them a 80-79 lead over the D-Fenders. A last second jumper by the D-Fender’s Josh Magette would give the D-Fenders a 81-80 lead heading into the final frame.

The Bighorns would open the final quarter on a 8-1 run en route to a tightly contested quarter that saw three lead changes and four ties. The Bighorns would take control of the lead after a three by Dukan, giving them a 101-98 advantage over the D-Fenders. The Bighorns would never relinquish the lead, earning a 118-111 win over the D-Fenders.

The Bighorns will host the Los Angeles D-Fenders on Friday, Mar. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Reno Events Center for Star Wars Night.

– 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 2015-16 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 19 teams with direct affiliations with NBA franchises for the 2015-16 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 2014-15 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.