HERD FALLS TO CELTICS

The Wisconsin Herd, NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, lost to the Maine Celtics 105-103.

Wenyen Gabriel commanded the Herd with a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds while MarJon Beauchamp, Chris Livingston, and TyTy Washington Jr. added 16 points apiece.

The Maine Celtics’ top scorer was DJ Steward with 34 points followed by JD Davison with 27 points.

Milwaukee Bucks Assignment players Chris Livingston and Andre Jackson Jr. secured the first two buckets of the game to put the Herd on the board. The Celtics responded with two straight baskets to even the game 4-4. The Herd built up to a four-point lead, but Maine crawled back to tie the game. Back-to-back shots pushed the Celtics over the top before the Herd swooped in to steal the edge back. The teams traded the lead three times before Wisconsin scored consecutive baskets to take a four-point advantage. Maine battled back to take over once more before a buzzer-beater three-point shot by Ryan Rollins put the Herd up 29-27.

James Akinjo knocked down a shot from deep to start the second quarter for the Herd. Maine came back to tie the game, but James Akinjo added another jump shot to keep Wisconsin above. The Celtics pushed ahead again but the Herd stayed close, tying the game two times. Maine got hot converting a 14-4 run to go ahead by double digits. MarJon Beauchamp threw in one bucket before the Celtics increased their lead to 60-47. The half ended in favor of the Celtics 65-52. Wenyen Gabriel guided the Herd with 15 points in the first half.

Wenyen Gabriel opened the third quarter with a swift layup to bring the Herd within double-digits. Wisconsin continued the hot streak going on a 12-4 run to make it a one-point game midway through the quarter. A steal and fast break dunk by MarJon Beauchamp pushed the Herd over the top 70-69. The Celtics answered with six points in a row to take back the lead. The teams traded buckets until Maine ran away with seven unanswered points to go ahead by double-digits. The third quarter ended in favor of the Celtics 87-74.

Ryan Rollins converted a jump shot to bring the Herd within 11 points at the beginning of the fourth quarter. The team traded baskets resulting in the lead fluctuating between 11-13 points before Wisconsin outscored Maine 7-2 to make it a seven-point game halfway through the fourth quarter.  Ryan Rollins nailed a shot from deep to keep Maine’s lead under double digits. Both teams turned on the defense, keeping the game scoreless for three minutes until Maine got sent to the line and knocked down two free throws. Andre Jackson Jr. converted from deep to make it a six-point game with less than a minute remaining. The Celtics connected on one free throw before TyTy Washington Jr. swished a three to make it a four-point game. Maine took the ball full court for a layup but fouled on the other end to send MarJon Beauchamp to the line. MarJon Beauchamp secured two free throws but the Herd got the rebound on the third and another Maine foul led to one made free throw by TyTy Washington Jr. The Celtics secured two free throws to make it a five-point game with one-second remaining. TyTy Washington Jr, hit a buzzer-beater deep three but Maine held the win 105-103.

The Herd will hit the road to take on the Grand Rapids Gold next Saturday, March 9 with tip-off set for 6:00 p.m. CST.

--Wisconsin Herd--