Although the Toyota Sports Center showcased an exciting game last Saturday night, the D-Fenders endured a tough game in a 129-128 loss to the Idaho Stampede that was decided in overtime. Despite the loss, the D-Fenders refused to go down without a fight.
The first quarter proved to be a slow start for the D-Fenders shooting only 34.6 percent from the floor. Closing out the first tied at 24 points apiece, they ventured into the second quarter with a little more fire. Terrence Williams scored 16 points, pushing the D-Fenders to a lead as large as 11 points. This lead slowly diminished as the Stampede scored 20 points from the paint in the third quarter and carried this momentum into the fourth. Leading by seven points with two minutes left in the game, Shawne Williams hit a clutch three to tie the game with 31 seconds left. Now down by two with 2.5 seconds left. James Southerland hit a jumper to push the game into overtime.
Despite fouling out in overtime, the Stampede’s own Reggie Hearn would be allowed to return to the game in order to leave Idaho with five eligible players instead of four. Of all players to make the buzzer-beater, Hearn drained a shot from the left wing to give the Stampede the one point advantage to close the game out.
Terence Williams finished with 33 points and six rebounds, Josh Magette had another double-double with 18 points and 12 assists. Shawne Williams, C.J. Williams, Brandon Costner, and Andre Ingram all contributed with double-digit scoring as well.
With this loss, the Los Angeles D-Fenders are now 19-13. They will look for redemption in their next game against the Springfield Armor on Monday, February 24 at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo.
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