Henderson, NV — The G League Ignite took on the Indiana Mad Ants for the second consecutive evening at residence Tuesday within the wake of Gabe York dropping a franchise-record 45 factors in a 123-114 win. York picked up proper the place he left off, hitting his first 4 pictures and scoring eight of the Ignite’s first 10 factors. He can be as much as 18 factors at halftime to guide all scorers, however the Mad Ants would maintain a 54-49 lead and would prevail in the long run, 116-109. The Ignite dropped to 2-19, whereas the Mad Ants improved to 12-8.
Former Miami guard Isaiah Wong was the Mad Ants’ main scorer within the first half of play, pouring in 16 factors off the bench (6-9 FG, 1-3 3PT). The eighth general decide in final yr’s draft Jarace Walker was the opposite Mad Ant to document double-digits within the first half, scoring 14 factors on an environment friendly 6-of-12 capturing from the ground (simply 1-5 3PT).
Neither crew was capable of construct a lot of a lead within the first two quarters, however Indiana did maintain an enormous benefit within the paint, outscoring the Ignite 44-24. Each groups solely made two pictures from past the arc, with the benefit within the paint proving to be the distinction between the 2 groups on the scoreboard.
The second half was a lot completely different for Indiana, as they hit thrice as many triples (six) within the third quarter as that they had in your entire first half however would solely maintain an 88-81 benefit heading into the ultimate body. Ignite head coach Jason Hart picked up a technical foul after a heated dialog with Mad Ants head coach Tom Hankins with 3:46 left within the third quarter. The Ignite would keep inside putting distance, even regaining the lead within the third quarter, however couldn’t mount the comeback.
Walker had the extra spectacular statline (team-high 28 factors and 11 rebounds on 11-of-22 capturing, 3-of-10 3PT, 2-of-3 FT), however Wong was equally as spectacular (27 factors, six rebounds and 4 assists on 10-of-17 capturing, 2-of-7 3PT, 4-of-6 FT), weaving out and in of visitors within the paint, coming off of screens and driving to the rim with ease. Former NBA veteran Elfrid Payton was handing out assists left and proper, ending with a game-high 17 – yet another than the Ignite had as a crew.
For the Ignite York acquired it began and would end with 26 factors (12-23 FG, 2-9 3PT), but it surely was the duo of projected first spherical decide Tyler Smith and Babacar Sane who stood out for the house crew. Smith completed with a game-high 29 factors off the bench on an environment friendly 11-of-17 capturing, together with three made three-pointers. Smith continued to indicate why he’s projected to go within the first spherical, displaying confidence off the dribble and isn’t afraid to shoot with a hand in his face. Sane was the one different participant to complete with a double-double, ending with 23 factors and 13 rebounds, utilizing his size to disrupt passing lanes and consistently be in place to rebound and go proper again up with the ball.
Tuesday’s contest was the ultimate one for Indiana earlier than All-Star Break. They are going to be at residence at Gainbridge Fieldhouse versus the Faculty Park Skyhawks on Thursday, February 12th. It was additionally the ultimate sport for the Ignite earlier than the All-Star Break, who will return to motion at residence on the Greenback Mortgage Heart subsequent Friday, February 23rd towards the Osceola Magic.
This text was written by Mason McFee, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You possibly can comply with us on Fb, or on twitter.
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