The Los Angeles D-Fenders got a huge win over the Reno Bighorns Wednesday night, blowing out the Bighorns 117-89. The D-Fenders clinched first place in the NBA Development League Western Conference. This is the first time in franchise history that the D-Fenders maintain a number one spot. The D-Fenders improved to 34-11 on the season and earned their seventh straight win.
D-Fenders forward Jamario Moon led all scorers, finishing with a game high 26 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Christian Eyenga was second in scoring, ending with 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks. The D-Fenders put on a show for fans, destroying the visiting Bighorns on both sides of the ball. In the win, the D-Fenders set a team-record, hitting 17 three-pointers, and shooting 60 percent from behind the arc.
The 12 of the 17 three-pointers made by the D-Fenders came in the second half. The team broke the previous franchise record of 15 three-pointers that was set during the 2007-2008 season versus the Idaho Stampede.
Regardless of no longer having point guard Courtney Fortson and forward Malcolm Thomas, who were both signed by the Houston Rockets, the D-Fenders still went on to continue their winning streak. The team received a big boost from Moon and Eyenga. Newcomer Andre Ingram racked up 17 points, four rebounds and five assists, while Otis George scored 14 points and six rebounds. The D-Fenders never trailed the Bighorns and led by as much as 36 points, shooting an impressive 52.8 percent from the field. The D-Fenders also tied a season-high, handing out a total of 34 assists as a team.
On defense, the D-Fenders defended very well. They entered the league leading in defensive field goal percentage, and held true to that title. The D-Fenders limited the Bighorns to 36.6 percent shooting marking the 11th time this season that L.A. has held an opponent at or below 40 percent shooting from the field.
The Bighorns struggled against the D-Fenders, and finished with only three players in double-figures. Guard Eric Devendorf and Josh Selby both scored 18 points, while center David Harrison added another 12 points and 10 rebounds. With this loss the Bighorns drop to 19-26 on the season.
The D-Fenders improve to 6-1 over the Bighorns this season and 9-8 all time. The D-Fenders will return to action on Friday March 30 to take on the Bakersfield Jam.