After a disappointing loss to the Texas Legends on Thursday, the Los Angeles D-Fenders looked for redemption Saturday night as they faced Texas yet again. This time, the D-Fenders would put up a stronger fight and push the game to overtime, but their efforts fell short in a 137-126 loss.
Both teams were off to a slow start, but picked it up towards the end of the first quarter. A two-point deficit going into the second quickly turned into a nine-point deficit for the D-Fenders, but Los Angeles quickly recovered. A 9-2 run allowed the squad to go into halftime with a tied game at 56. The D-Fenders forced nine Texas turnovers in the first half.
The third quarter remained neck and neck between the two teams. The D-Fenders and Legends both scored 13 field goals and five three-pointers, finished the third tied at 88. Los Angeles slipped up in the fourth, allowing the Legends to get ahead by as many as 10 points, but a clutch James Southerland three-pointer and Manny Harris lay-up late in the game allowed the D-Fenders to force the game into overtime.
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The D-Fenders were doomed from the beginning, allowing the Legends to go on an 8-0 run in the first 90 seconds of overtime. Eventually being outscored 16-5, the D-Fenders fell in their second consecutive loss to Texas.
Manny Harris was the leading performer for the D-Fenders with a double-double including 30 points and 12 rebounds. Top contributors also included Terrance Williams with 27 points and Shawne Williams with 20 points. Lakers assignment player Xavier Henry had 19 points, and Josh Magette dished an impressive 11 assists.
Mavericks assignment player Jae Crowder lead his team to victory with a triple-double. The D-Fenders look to snap their two game losing streak as they return home to face the Delaware 87ers on Monday, March 3rd.
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