Skyforce Super on Saturday in Motoring past Mad Ants

Superior shooting and maximizing opportunities leads to a Skyforce win 128-111 over the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on Saturday night.

Usually shooting 53 percent from the floor overall with 10 three pointers will win a lot of ball games. That’s the line for Fort Wayne (18-24). Similar to much of the season Sioux Falls (33-8) has been at a higher level than most of their opponents shooting 57 percent and attacking the paint to the tune of 35 free throws attempted while converting 28.

Through the first 6 minutes Fort Wayne looked to exorcise the demons of the last time these two teams met when the Skyforce won by 49 points in late February. The 25-15 Mad Ants cushion melted away with two missed shots and three turnovers countered by the Skyforce hitting 4 out of 5.

A three point Skyforce halftime lead grew quickly after intermission peaking eventually at 88-68 late in the third quarter. Fort Wayne chopped the lead down to 6 midway through the final period. The next 9- point Sioux Falls onslaught put the game out of reach.

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For the 8th time this season, Rodney McGruder led the Skyforce in scoring with 24 points plus 4 steals. Five more had healthy point totals with Jarnell Stokes putting together the most well-rounded effort of 20 points, 10 rebounds, a season high 4 assists and 2 steals. Check the footage of Stokes night for proof.

The bench play of Walter Lemon, Jr. highlighted the Mad Ants boxscore with 24 points and Terran Petteway added 20 points. Also noteworthy was Rakeem Christmas on assignment from the Indiana Pacers and his double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Another quick turnaround is in store for both teams with Sioux Falls returning home for a Monday night battle with the Southwest Division leading Austin Spurs. The Mad Ants also play Monday north of the border against the Raptors 905.

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