SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Six players in double-figures guided the Sioux Falls Skyforce to a 116-106 victory over the Long Island Nets on Sunday afternoon. The victory is the second in a row for the Skyforce (17-17) fourth in five tries.
Bubu Palo (season-high 29 points on 10-18 FG, six assists and six rebounds) has now recorded back-to-back 20-point outings. Tonight’s game also marked Palo’s sixth-straight game with five-or-more assists.
Sioux Falls jumped to a slim 29-26 advantage after an opening period that saw four lead changes. Brooklyn Nets two-way player Jeremiah Martin (21 points and six rebounds) kept Long Island (14-19) within striking distance, as he had nine points on three-of-five shooting in the quarter alone.
The Skyforce produced a 17-5 run to the 9:06 mark of the second period that gave them a 10-point lead. The Nets responded, outscoring the Skyforce by nine points in the remainder of the period but trailed by one at halftime.
Long Island continued its momentum, going on runs of 11-5 and 7-0 to the 5:12 mark of the third quarter. Sioux Falls answered with a 21-5 run of its own to end the quarter and claim a 91-84 lead heading to the fourth quarter. Daryl Macon (16 points on 5-8 FG) scored 10 points on four-of-five shooting in the period alone.
Just like the opening period, the Skyforce and Nets traded baskets, but Sioux Falls outscored Long Island by three points in the quarter to claim the victory.
Marcus Lee (14 points, career-high 17 rebounds and eight blocks) secured his seventh double-double of the season. Davon Reed chipped in 19 points and five assists, as well.
Brooklyn Nets assignee Theo Pinson posted 15 points and 11 assists. Justin Anderson added 21 points and seven rebounds for Long Island.
The Skyforce end their four-game homestand on Tuesday at 6:30 PM CT against the Delaware Blue Coats (18-14). The Blue Coats dropped a 136-102 decision to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on Sunday. The Nets travel to Oklahoma City to face the Blue (16-18) on Tuesday at 7:00 PM.
(SOURCE: SF Skyforce)
