Skyforce fend off late charge from Mad Ants
By David Kenyon
FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Fort Wayne Mad Ants stormed back from a 17-point deficit, but the Sioux Falls Skyforce held on down the stretch to claim a 106-101 victory.
Sioux Falls led 98-81 with 6:35 left in the fourth quarter before the Mad Ants assembled a 15-2 run capped by a Walter Lemon Jr. 3-pointer as the clock ticked below two minutes remaining. However, Fort Wayne failed to capitalize on four opportunities to further cut into the lead.
The Skyforce ripped off an 11-0 run during the opening four minutes of the final frame to build a 15-point advantage, allowing a little breathing room to stave off the Mad Ants, whose head coach wanted a more sustained effort.
“We have to play a full 48 [minutes] to beat a really good team like that,” Steve Gansey said. “They’re No. 1 in our division, No. 2 in the East for a reason. … We played about 41, 42.
“If we had four more minutes left in the game, maybe it would’ve been a different story because we had the momentum. But it’s why you only play 48 minutes.”
Fort Wayne struggled to contain DeAndre Liggins, who recorded his second triple-double of the season. He tallied 14 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds, adding three steals.
Six others Skyforce players reached double figures, including a 19-point effort from Keith Benson and 18 from Miami Heat assignee Jarnell Stokes. He also grabbed 10 rebounds for Sioux Falls, which improved to 11-3.
Fort Wayne faced a last-minute roster change after the Indiana Pacers called up Shayne Whittington but sent down Joe Young and Glenn Robinson III.
Though Gansey said the duo arrived at 2:30 — just 2.5 hours before tipoff — he refused to use it as a crutch.
“It’s tough chemistry-wise, but we’re not the only team that has to deal with that. There’s teams that do that all the time. It was just a tough game.”
Young paced the Mad Ants with 29 points, while Robinson posted 11 points and 11 rebounds. Lemon netted 21 points as Fort Wayne fell to 9-7.
Quick Hit
Sunday marked Young’s second stint with the Mad Ants for a tune-up game, and his 29 points were a season-best mark. Young’s time in Fort Wayne was short-lived, though, as the Pacers recalled him on Monday.
Observations
Joe Young: The rookie point guard left no doubt who was the best player on the floor. Young finished 11-of-23 from the field and drilled all three attempts from beyond the arc. At least twice, his pump fake sent his defender flailing past the ball, and Young quickly squared himself to the basket before shooting. Also finished well in the lane over bigs.
Glenn Robinson III: Early on, Robinson established himself as the most aggressive player. Powered through contact but rarely converted. Must improve in that regard to solidify an NBA role.
Walter Lemon Jr.: Lemon is so quick. Noticeably progressed as a decision-maker when attacking the basket and as a willing shooter compared to November games. While shooting stroke isn’t great, it’s functional.
Rakeem Christmas: Whether it was the lack of size available — Whittington, technically on the Pacers, was in street clothes but at the game — facing an NBA-caliber big or a combination of both (and that’s likely the case), Christmas struggled on offense. He was 3-of-13 and forced shots even after a post move didn’t create space.
Jarnell Stokes: Although the Heat assignee really never stood out, Stokes was a constant presence. Six of his 10 rebounds came on the offensive end and led to 11 second-chance points. Not particularly special, but always solid.
DeAndre Liggins: Ho-lee-crap, Liggins has insane vision, the creativity to see passing lanes and a snappy release. If you didn’t see his highlight reel embedded in the recap, check out his passes at 0:25, 0:51 — watch that one again — and 1:40. Liggins plays well above the rim on the defensive glass, but his propensity for turnovers and inconsistent jumper are legitimate concerns.
Byron Mullens: The dream is probably dead. A first-round pick in 2009, Mullens appeared in 189 NBA games with four teams. His 7-foot frame combined with gorgeous long-range form is tantalizing, but Mullens is a defensive liability even in the D-League.
DeAndre Liggins: Go watch his pass at the 0:51 mark of the highlight reel. I’m serious.