Skyforce Nab Sixth Straight Win and Central Division Title

Scotty Hopson backed up his Player of the Month award with another solid night. It led to a Sioux Falls Skyforce 121-101 victory over the Grand Rapids Drive.

The home team could make a case that disease played a part in the proceedings. Former South Dakota State guard Nate Wolters was stricken by the flu bug and the team only played seven men.

Nonetheless, the Drive (22-26) were able to play to a near draw in the first quarter and were within two points late in the second quarter. A Sioux Falls 9-2 run before half was the turning point of the game as the second half was all Skyforce (29-19) which sealed a NBADL Central Division title.

• Scotty Hopson Player of the Month in March

If you want a key figure to take away from the game start with three point shooting for the ‘Force. Shaking off a frigid first quarter (1-10), the visitors finished strong (9-15) from downtown.

Hopson’s 22 points led seven players for Sioux Falls in the double digits and earns some highlight time in the clip below. Shawn Jones (18 points, 10 rebounds) had a double-double and Larry Drew II (16 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds) nearly had his second triple-double of the road trip.

• Skyforce Stuff Stampede

Grand Rapids got 30 points from Adonis Thomas who sat out only 28 seconds of the contest. Former Skyforce swingman Manny Atkins netted 24 and Hasheem Thabeet went for 24 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks.

Sioux Falls will return to the Sanford Pentagon for a Friday night tussle with Fort Wayne. Grand Rapids has a Friday night date with Erie at the DeltaPlex.