SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Behind seven players in double-figures, the Sioux Falls Skyforce snapped a three-game skid on Thursday evening against the South Bay Lakers by a score of 107-94 at the Sanford Pentagon.
The Lakers (10-10) took advantage of a slow-paced first quarter, as they held the Force (9-13) to just 27.6-percent on 8-of-29 shooting and led by two-points after the first 12 minutes.
Miami HEAT two-way player Daryl Macon (20 points, career-high 10 rebounds) scored 11-points and guided Sioux Falls to a 31-16 advantage in the second period, as the Skyforce took a 54-41 lead to intermission.
The momentum continued after halftime as Sioux Falls hit six of its 16 three-pointers in the period alone and built a game-high 32-point cushion with just 12 minutes to play. Mychal Mulder (22 points on 8-18 FG) paced the Skyforce with eight points and drilled two-of-six three-pointers in the quarter.
South Bay responded in the fourth, outscoring the Skyforce 36-17, as Los Angeles Lakers assignee Talen Horton-Tucker (20 points on 8-16 FG) scored 13-points.
Marcus Lee (10 points and 16 rebounds) made the most of his first start of the season, as he grabbed 10 offensive rebounds, which helped lead to 21 second-chance points for the Skyforce. Lee’s 16 rebounds matched his previous career-high. Miami HEAT assignee KZ Okpala netted 11 points, but struggled from the field, shooting 2-of-14 in the contest.
Los Angeles Lakers two-way players Devontae Cacok (14 points and 15 rebounds) and Kostas Antetokounmpo (14 points and eight rebounds) combined to shoot 11-for-17 but had a combined +/- of negative-13.
With the victory, the Skyforce move to 9-2 when out-rebounding opponents this season, as they finished with a 60-57 advantage over the Lakers. Sioux Falls’ 60 rebounds were its most in a game since November 12, 2016, against the Salt Lake City Stars.
Sioux Falls ends a three-game homestand on Sunday, January 5 against the Stockton Kings (12-7). The Kings head to the Pentagon on a two-game skid, with the most recent loss being a 123-116 defeat to the Santa Cruz Warriors on Saturday, December 28 at 3:00 PM.
South Bay travels to Frisco, Texas on Saturday, January 4 at 7:30 PM to face the Texas Legends (12-9). The Lakers won a 152-138 shootout against the Legends on Tuesday, December 31.
