Skyforce Rally for Saturday Night Win over Fort Wayne

The night time was the right time for overtime as the Skyforce escaped with a 114-110 victory over Fort Wayne on Saturday night from the Sanford Pentagon.   For a lion’s share of the game the visitors had the advantage on the scoreboard.  During regulation Sioux Falls (4-2) led a total of 2 minutes and 50 seconds.  With 1:35 left in overtime Sioux Falls went ahead to stay on an A.J. Davis free throw turning away the Mad Ants (1-3) in their only appearance in Sioux Falls this season.  The two teams will meet four more times in Fort Wayne.

Pacing the Skyforce was Justin Hamilton with another huge night at home with a career high 31 points to go with 13 rebounds.  In just his second game with Sioux Falls guard John Allen is making his presence felt with 26 points on 9 of 11 shooting including 4 of 5 from downtown.  Even Charlie Westbrook played some major minutes in his Skyforce debut due to foul trouble.  Larry Drew II ended up fouling out in regulation, but finished with 12 points and 9 assists.  Drew said the Mad Ants were ready at the start.  “The game was physical, and they came out with a sense of urgency.  Allowing the other guys to penetrate the middle is something we’re going to have to work on as a team.  We can’t let the man we’re guarding get into the paint because it creates all kinds of options for them and disrupts our defense.”  One example of the ability to get into the lane was Trey McKinney-Jones for the Mad Ants who scored 30 overall including 11-11 at the free throw line.

Sioux Falls will stay at home for the rematch with Tulsa next Friday and Saturday night.  Fort Wayne will host Iowa on Thursday and Idaho on Saturday.

Notes:  The last time Sioux Falls played consecutive overtime games was December 2008.  The Skyforce captured a road win over Rio Grande Valley followed by a home win two days later over Tulsa.  After a tough day in Tulsa, Sioux Falls shot an astounding 13 of 23 from long range against the Mad Ants.