Immediate adjustments netted instant results for the Sioux Falls Skyforce as better rebounding and respecting the orange led to a 103-88 win on Saturday night over the Erie BayHawks. The win for Sioux Falls seals the season series in the final meeting of only three this season between the two teams.
It didn't make the entire difference, but Dexter Pittman returned to the Skyforce (18-12) lineup after sitting out Friday's game with an ankle injury and provided 11 points and 6 rebounds. Another improvement over the previous encounter was better bench performance, particularly Mark Tyndale and Will Foster picking up some slack. Nonetheless, the usual suspects came through with another command performance as Donald Sloan tallied 22 points and 10 assists with Demetris Nichols putting up 20 points. Both Sloan and Nichols hit big shots down the stretch that put the BayHawks (17-13) away.
Erie's Henry Sims led all scorers with 25 points while top prospect D. J. Kennedy poured in 15 points with 12 rebounds and 7 assists. As the All-Star break looms, both teams have one more game to play. Erie will host Bakersfield on Monday night, while Sioux Falls will try to get home so they can take on the Iowa Energy Tuesday night.