Skyforce top Texas in Snow Day Matinee

SIOUX FALLS, SD (Dakota News Now) – Seven players scored in double figures to push the Sioux Falls Skyforce over the Texas Legends 132-130 on Wednesday afternoon at the Sanford Pentagon.

Mychal Mulder (team-high 26 points in 8-11 FGA, 6-9 3PA) hit a layup with 1.5 seconds left in the contest to secure its second straight home win for the Skyforce (2-2), despite the Legends (2-2) erasing an eight-point deficit in the final 1:12 of the game.

Sioux Falls scored 30-plus points in the opening quarter in back-to-back games, outscoring Texas 30-25 in that period. Mulder hit his second three-pointer of the night at 8:35 to move into second all-time for three-pointers made in Skyforce history (282 total). He trailed Henry James by just 36 years to win the record.

They followed it up with a regular-season-high scoring quarter (35 points on 53.8 percent shooting from the field), as Sioux Falls held a commanding 65-51 lead. Dru Smith (career-high 12 points, nine rebounds and 13 assists) had seven points, eight rebounds, six assists and a plus-13 plus-minus to pace Sioux Falls at the half.

Behind 25 points on 9-12 FGA from Taze Moore and Grant Riller (38 points on 14-22 FGA), Texas exploded for 43 points in the third period. DJ Stewart (22 points on 9-16 FGA and three steals) scored 14 points in the quarter to hold a 96-94 lead heading into the final 12 minutes.

With four lead changes and ties, after a season-high 77.8 percent shooting from the field (14-18 FGA) and 11 assists, the Skyforce was able to hold on and move to 9-2 at home this season.

Stewart scored his third straight 20-point game in the win. Jamaree Bouyea (21 points on 9-14 FGA, eight rebounds and seven assists) added his second straight game with 20-plus points, seven rebounds and five-plus assists. Jon Elmore scored a career-high 21 points on 7-10 FGA (5-8 3PA) and seven assists to lead Sioux Falls off the bench.

It marked the second straight game the Skyforce has had three-plus players score 20-plus points, and its 58.8 percent shooting from the field (50 percent from beyond the arc) is also a regular-season high.

The Skyforce begin a 10-day, five-game road trip Friday and Saturday against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (1-3). Departure is scheduled for 19:30 CST. The Legends will host the Memphis Hustle (3-0) at 7:30pm CST on Saturday.

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