HERD LOSE TO CRUISE

The Wisconsin Herd, NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, lost to the Motor City Cruise 109-106.

TyTy Washington Jr. led the Herd with 24 points while Ryan Rollins added 14 points. Aleem Ford and James Akinjo followed with 13 points apiece.

The Motor City Cruise top scorers were Zavier Simpson with 32 points and Jared Rhoden with 23 points.

Motor City started the game strong, outscoring the Herd 7-2 in the first two minutes of the game. Wisconsin answered and immediately secured six straight points to take the lead. The Cruise stole back the edge and worked their way to a five-point advantage midway through the quarter. The Herd trailed by six points but came back to tie the game after a steal and fast-break layup by James Akinjo. Motor City converted on one jump shot before the Herd climbed ahead 24-23 after back-to-back baskets. The teams traded the lead twice before a buzzer-beater three by James Akinjo pushed the Herd ahead 29-28 at the end of the first quarter.

Elijah Hughes and James Akinjo combined for five unanswered points to go up by six at the beginning of the second quarter. The Cruise charged back to even the game momentarily until Elijah Hughes knocked out consecutive baskets to give the Herd space. The two teams battled back and forth resulting in four lead changes before Wisconsin pushed ahead by five at the two-minute mark. Motor City came back to make it a one-point game, but the Herd held on to lead 54-51 at the break. TyTy Washington Jr. guided the Herd with 10 points in the first half.

The game was tied three times before the Herd pulled away with two sequential shots giving them a five-point lead to start the third quarter. The Herd remained one basket ahead until the Cruise took control by one point halfway through the quarter. The lead was traded three times before Marquese Chriss connected on three straight buckets. The Cruise quickly challenged with a 7-0 run, but the Herd forged ahead to end the quarter in their favor 84-82.

James Akinjo and Elijah Hughes connected on a basket each to create a six-point advantage for the Herd early in the fourth quarter. Motor City cut the game down to one point, but Wisconsin remained in control. At the six-minute mark, a layup and free throw by the Cruise pushed them over the top. TyTy Washington Jr. scored to give the Herd the edge, the Cruise stayed within one point and brought the game to a tie three times. Motor City hit a deadly six unanswered points to go up by four with a minute remaining. TyTy Washington Jr. knocked down a jump shot but the Cruise answered with a free throw to keep a three-point lead. With 25 seconds left, Ryan Rollins connected on a layup to bring the Herd within one. The Cruise secured two free throws to win the game 109-106.

The Herd will take on the Motor City Cruise for the second game of the back-to-back series tomorrow, Saturday, March 16 at 7:00 p.m. CST.

--Wisconsin Herd--