Henderson, NV — The G League Ignite took on the Indiana Mad Ants for the second consecutive night at home Tuesday in the wake of Gabe York dropping a franchise-record 45 points in a 123-114 win. York picked up right where he left off, hitting his first four shots and scoring eight of the Ignite’s first 10 points. He would be up to 18 points at halftime to lead all scorers, but the Mad Ants would hold a 54-49 lead and would prevail in the end, 116-109. The Ignite dropped to 2-19, while the Mad Ants improved to 12-8.
Former Miami guard Isaiah Wong was the Mad Ants’ leading scorer in the first half of play, pouring in 16 points off the bench (6-9 FG, 1-3 3PT). The eighth overall pick in last year’s draft Jarace Walker was the other Mad Ant to record double-digits in the first half, scoring 14 points on an efficient 6-of-12 shooting from the floor (just 1-5 3PT).
Neither team was able to build much of a lead in the first two quarters, but Indiana did hold a huge advantage in the paint, outscoring the Ignite 44-24. Both teams only made two shots from beyond the arc, with the advantage in the paint proving to be the difference between the two teams on the scoreboard.
The second half was much different for Indiana, as they hit three times as many triples (six) in the third quarter as they had in the entire first half but would only hold an 88-81 advantage heading into the final frame. Ignite head coach Jason Hart picked up a technical foul after a heated conversation with Mad Ants head coach Tom Hankins with 3:46 left in the third quarter. The Ignite would stay within striking distance, even regaining the lead in the third quarter, but could not mount the comeback.
Walker had the more impressive statline (team-high 28 points and 11 rebounds on 11-of-22 shooting, 3-of-10 3PT, 2-of-3 FT), but Wong was equally as impressive (27 points, six rebounds and four assists on 10-of-17 shooting, 2-of-7 3PT, 4-of-6 FT), weaving in and out of traffic in the paint, coming off of screens and driving to the rim with ease. Former NBA veteran Elfrid Payton was handing out assists left and right, finishing with a game-high 17 – one more than the Ignite had as a team.
For the Ignite York got it started and would finish with 26 points (12-23 FG, 2-9 3PT), but it was the duo of projected first round pick Tyler Smith and Babacar Sane who stood out for the home team. Smith finished with a game-high 29 points off the bench on an efficient 11-of-17 shooting, including three made three-pointers. Smith continued to show why he’s projected to go in the first round, showing confidence off the dribble and is not afraid to shoot with a hand in his face. Sane was the only other player to finish with a double-double, finishing with 23 points and 13 rebounds, using his length to disrupt passing lanes and constantly be in position to rebound and go right back up with the ball.
Tuesday’s contest was the final one for Indiana before All-Star Break. They will be at home at Gainbridge Fieldhouse versus the College Park Skyhawks on Thursday, February 12th. It was also the final game for the Ignite before the All-Star Break, who will return to action at home at the Dollar Loan Center next Friday, February 23rd against the Osceola Magic.
This article was written by Mason McFee, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Facebook, or on twitter.
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