Sioux Falls Skyforce Topple Reno Bighorns In Overtime [VIDEO]
It took extra time, but the Sioux Falls Skyforce were able to break through for a 117-114 NBA Development League win on Friday night over the Reno Bighorns. The ‘Force are now 2-0 in overtime games this year.
However, before the teams went to overtime session a taught two and a half minutes played out on the Sioux Falls Arena floor. Both teams stepped up defensively after Reno’s Marcus Landry tied the game at 107 with a corner three at the 2:37 mark. From there each team had their chances to break the deadlock with neither team giving ground.
The Skyforce (15-11) kept attacking the basket in the extra session and it paid dividends with three straight fast breaks that gave them the lead for good as Donald Sloan played a part in all of them. Two of them he scored himself and the other he provided the assist. Sloan was seemingly in the right place all night long as he tallied 22 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds. It was the first triple double for Sioux Falls since current Minnesota Timberwolf center Greg Stiemsma recorded 20 points 14 rebounds and 10 blocks back in 2009. Demetris Nichols also answered the call with his family in attendance he scored a season high 34 points.
Reno (9-13) dominated much of the first half, building a 16 point lead in the second quarter and leading by 10 at the half. It’s possible that fatigue played a hand in the Skyforce comeback as the Bighorns went with a seven-man rotation. Dar Tucker scored a season high 28 points with former Cleveland Cavalier Samardo Samuels contributing 26 points and 16 rebounds.
With the win Sioux Falls earns at least a split in the four game season series. Game three is Saturday night as the Skyforce celebrate Military Night. Military personnel and their families get a free ticket to the game along with a half-time enlistment ceremony and silent auction for the camouflage jerseys worn by the players to benefit Operation Cares.