HERD SUFFERS HEARTBREAKING DEFEAT IN OVERTIME

Wisconsin Herd, NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, lost to the Maine Celtics 119-114 in overtime. The two teams battled through the first quarter exchanging the lead 7 times, but the Herd charged to a 29-28 advantage. The Herd held the lead for the whole second quarter and pulled ahead by six points. The battle continued in the third quarter with four lead changes while the Celtics outscored the Herd to come within two points. Maine tied the game early in the fourth quarter, but Wisconsin countered to take the lead again. The Celtics came back to tie the game but the Herd remained ahead until Maine scored the last two baskets of the game to send it into overtime. The Celtics scored the first basket of the overtime period before the Herd tied the game again. The Celtics hit the remaining two baskets to win the game.

The Herd was led by Elijah Hughes with 22 points while Deividas Sirvydis added 18. Paris Bass and Iverson Molinar posted 17 points each.

The Celtics were guided by Luka Samanic with 30 points followed by Mfiondu Kabengele with 25 points.

The Maine Celtics scored the first basket of the game, but the Herd answered with back-to-back shots. Maine went ahead by four points, but the Herd swiped the lead back going up 17-9. Maine outscored the Herd 14-5 to grab their third lead of the game 23-22. The Herd quickly recovered building a four-point head start at the two-minute mark. The Celtics battled back once again but Jontay Porter hit the last basket of the quarter to put the Herd up 29-28.

The Herd scored the first five points to put some distance between them and the Celtics. Elijah Hughes made a huge stride scoring 10 consecutive points for the Herd. Alex Antetokounmpo followed with back-to-back baskets to put the Herd ahead by six. Iverson Molinar chimed in with six straight points as well. The Herd built an 11-point lead at the one-minute mark. Wisconsin held on to take the 64-58 advantage while Iverson Molinar guided the Herd with 13 points in the first half.

Elijah Hughes hit the first basket of the third quarter but the Celtics powered up to a 68-66 lead at the nine-minute mark. Paris Bass hit a layup to stop the run but it didn’t last as Maine built a five-point lead. The two teams traded baskets until the Herd hit continuous three-point shots to bring them within four. The Herd added a layup and two more three-pointers. The Celtics took the upper hand again but the Herd secured a 91-89 advantage with two late baskets in the third.

The Celtics scored the first two baskets of the fourth quarter exchanging the lead for the 12^th time this game. The two teams traded baskets until the Herd made four uninterrupted shots to go ahead 104-100 with five minutes remaining. Maine came back to tie the game once more before Iverson Molinar and Elijah Hughes teamed up for five points. The Celtics scored the only two baskets in the last two minutes to tie the game 112-112 and start the overtime period.

The target score for the overtime period was set at 119. The Celtics won the tip and converted it to a fast two points. Rob Edwards responded with a jump shot to tie the game at 114-114. Maine completed the last two shots to win the game 119-114.

The Herd takes on the Maine Celtics again on Friday, March 17 with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m. CST.