THE HERD WINS BACK-TO-BACK IN VEGAS

The Wisconsin Herd, the NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, beat the Austin Spurs 114-112. The Herd took an early lead by hitting six three-point baskets in the first quarter. The Spurs charged back in the second quarter leading to 10 lead changes and five times tied. The Herd took over in the third quarter, building their lead to 10 points. The Austin Spurs came back one more time to tie the game in the fourth quarter, but the Herd held on to win.

A.J. Green propelled the Herd with 19 points followed by Sandro Mamukelashvili with 18 points. Jontay Porter added a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds. Jordan Bone posted a season-high for the team with 13 assists.

The Spurs were led by Charles Bassey with 29 points while Jordan Hall added 19 points.

Joe Wieskamp hit a three-point shot to open the game for the Wisconsin Herd. The Spurs answered to go ahead 9-7 but the Herd hit three consecutive three-point shots to steal the lead back. The two teams traded baskets until Iverson Molinar and Rob Edwards hit back-to-back shots to put the Herd up by six points. The Spurs came back but the Herd held on to lead 30-28 at the end of the first quarter.

Jontay Porter completed a putback layup to start the second quarter. The Spurs worked their way back to take the lead 36-34 at the eight-minute mark. Rob Edward tied the game with a free throw and followed with a three-point shot to put the Herd ahead. The Spurs charged back but Sandro Mamukelashvili scored five points to put the Herd up 44-42. The two teams traded the lead eight times in three minutes. Lindell Wigginton closed out the half with a four-point play. The Herd led 61-60 at the end of the first half. Sandro Mamukelashvili powered the Herd with 12 points and six rebounds.  

A.J. Green and Joe Wieskamp combined for five points to begin the third quarter. The two teams traded baskets until the Spurs scored six unanswered points to tie the game. Sandro Mamukelashvili propelled the Herd ahead with six consecutive points. Elijah Hughes added to the mix scoring two back-to-back threes putting the Herd up by 10. The Spurs worked their way back within five points, but the Herd led 89-84 at the end of the third quarter.

At the Winter Showcase, all games have an untimed fourth quarter with a target score that is determined by adding 25 points to the leading team’s score at the end of the third quarter. The target score for this game was set at 114.

Jontay Porter completed an alley-oop layup at the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Spurs answered with consecutive baskets, but Joe Wieskamp put an end to their run with a three-point shot. A.J. Green added another three-point basket to put the Herd up by eight points. Jontay Porter hit back-to-back buckets to put the Herd within 12 points of the target score. The Austin Spurs hit consecutive three-point shots to tie the game 104-104. A.J. Green added two back-to-back baskets to advance the Herd by five points. Lindell Wigginton closed out the game with five points to win the game for the Herd.  

The Herd will return home to tip-off the regular season on Saturday, December 31^st against the Grand Rapids Gold with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m. CST.