Kurz powers Mad Ants to much-needed win

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Fort Wayne Mad Ants defeated the Sioux Falls Skyforce 103-97 in the first of 16 NBA Development League games to be aired on VERSUS this season. Oliver Lafayette hit a dagger 3-pointer with just over a minute in regulation to push the lead to five points and Fort Wayne held on to earn a weekend split.

Each team dominated a quarter apiece in the first half and the Mad Ants led 51-50 at halftime. Fort Wayne outscored Sioux Falls 34-18 in the opening quarter and the Skyforce returned the favor in the second quarter as they outscored the Mad Ants 32-17.

After an even third quarter the game was up for grabs as both teams looked to secure a win on national television. Fort Wayne led by as many as nine points with just over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter but Sioux Falls cut it to two points before Lafayette’s clutch 3-pointer.

Rob Kurz and Sean Sonderleiter scored 21 points apiece for the Mad Ants. Kurz also recorded an NBA D-League season-high tying 24 rebounds. Lafayette posted 16 points and six assists to go along with five steals.

Sioux Falls was led by Reggie Williams with 23 points and eight rebounds. Keith Brumbaugh scored 20 points and Leemire Goldwire added 15 points off the bench.

Fort Wayne travels to Austin to take on the Toros on Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. ET. Sioux Falls hosts Tulsa on Friday night at 7 p.m. CT.