Plenty was on showcase for the Sioux Falls Skyforce on Saturday night as they collected their 10th win against 6 losses over the short-handed Los Angeles D-Fenders 104-92 who are now 5-7.  The D-Fenders only had 8 players in uniform for the contest which was played at the Lakers facility in El Segundo.  However, L.A. did not play a game on Friday night while the Skyforce were winning in Reno.  Thus the fatigue excuse that the D-Fenders could claim is a bit flimsy.

An early 24-8 hole was countered by great proficiency of Skyforce shots from long range and eventually the tide was turned back to the visiting side by the late stages of the second quarter.  For the second straight night the Erie imports were golden.  Donald Sloan had a line of 22 points 10 rebounds and 7 assists including thrice hitting from three point range in the 3rd quarter.  Mychel Thompson was second on the scoring ledger with 18 points.  Young Mychel  also had the luxury of playing in front of his father Mychal the former NBA top draft pick and current Laker broadcaster.  The mainstays were good for the Skyforce as well with four other players with 12 points apiece.  One of those being NBA assignee from the ‘76ers Arnett Moultrie with 10 rebounds to go with a dozen counters.  As a team Sioux Falls shot a better percentage from long distance than from the free throw line (69 percent for three 58 percent charity toss).  The rucial stretch of the game was an 17-2 run in the fourth quarter as the D-Fenders turned it over 4 times, missed in close and from deep and the Skyforce built the lead up to 18 points.

The Lakers sent center Robert Sacre to the D-Fenders and he ended up with 22 points and 5 rebounds.  Courtney Fortson who has been in the NBA previously and has the second best single game point total in the D-League this season scored 17 on this night.  The NBA Development League Showcase awaits all 16 teams over four days in Reno starting Monday.  The Los Angeles D-Fenders  face Rio Grande Valley while Sioux Falls will battle Bakersfield.  Also on the Monday schedule is Reno versus Springfield and Idaho against Texas.

 

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