AUSTIN – With the final playoff spot still within reach, the Austin Spurs secured a solid victory on Friday night, defeating the Long Island Nets, 95-87.
Bryn Forbes continued his offensive onslaught for the Spurs, finishing with 21 points in 30 minutes of action. Cory Jefferson feasted on the glass to notch another double-double as the forward tallied 19 points and 16 rebounds. Charles Garcia and Livio Jean-Charles both finished with 13 points, with Garcia also recording a double-double with 11 rebounds.
For Long Island, Cliff Alexander led all scores with 23 points and 16 rebounds in just 29 minutes off the bench. Trahson Burrell and Boris Dallo both added 13 points for the Nets, while JJ Moore and Egidijus Mockevicius chipped in 10 points each.
Austin started Friday’s game with a 13-2 run fueled by seven points from Forbes. His nine first quarter points gave the Spurs a 28-17 advantage after the first quarter.
In the second, Alexander’s offense brought Long Island all the way back from blowout territory to give the Nets a 46-44 lead with just three minutes until halftime. Luckily, Orlando Johnson, who made his season debut for the Austin Spurs last night, didn’t take long to re-familiarize himself with head coach Ken McDonald’s offense, as his outburst before the half vaulted the Spurs back into the lead.
Johnson finished with 11 points and six rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench.
The second half was more defensive than offensive for both teams. In the third quarter, both units shot under 40 percent, as the Spurs maintained a 10-point lead heading into the final frame.
Long Island did get the best of the silver and black in the fourth quarter, outscoring their opponents 19-17 over the final 12 minutes. But Long Island’s attempt to comeback via 3-pointers proved to be futile, with the Nets going 1-for-8 from long range to end the contest.
You can catch the Austin Spurs (18-20) take on the Salt Lake City Stars (12-25) tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. CST from the HEB Center at Cedar Park, with the game being broadcasted on Facebook Live.
