Weekly Recap: Skyforce Ride Roster Shuffles to 5-4
Jackson Crist /November 30, 2023
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The Skyforce left Sioux Falls to take on the Herd in Wisconsin November 19th.
Joining the team in Wisconsin were Miami Heat two-way player Cole Swider, and Miami Heat assignee Nikola Jovic. Miami Heat star Jimmy Bulter was in attendance for the game to cheer on the Force.
Sioux Falls fell to Wisconsin 121-123 in a 4th quarter comeback for the Herd.
Nikola Jovic led the Skyforce in scoring with 26 points on 53.3% shooting and Jamal Cain produced 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 steals in the losing effort. Lindell Wigginton led the Herd with 26 points.
The Skyforce took on the Herd again two days later on the 21st, this time coming out on top 117-106.
Cole Swider was massive for the Force in this game scoring 34 points, making 9 threes and shooting 64.3% from three. Jamal Cain scored 19 points and collected 8 rebounds. Justin Champagnie recorded 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Immediately following the win in Wisconsin, the Force took on the Windy City Bulls on the 22nd.
The Skyforce had 3 scorers of 20+ points, Jamal Cain (27 PTS), Cole Swider (24 PTS) and Justin Champagnie (20 PTS) but were unable to contain the Bulls offense leading to a 141-125 defeat.
The Bulls were led by Julian Phillips (29 PTS & 11 REB) and Adama Sanogo (26 PTS & 14 REB). Fatigue certainly played a factor in the last game of the road trip, on the second day of a back-to-back.
The team returned to Sioux Falls to take on the Iowa Wolves (1-5) on November 25th and 26th.
The Skyforce came into this game without Cain, Swider and Jovic who returned to the Miami Heat. Orlando Robinson was with the Skyforce as well as returning player Jamaree Bouyea who recently spent time with the Portland Trailblazers.
Sioux Falls beat the Iowa Wolves in a close game 102-97. The Wolves were led by D.J. Carton (29 PTS) and former Duke standout Wendell Moore Jr. (18 PTS). Orlando Robinson had a dominant performance recording 21 PTS & 17 REB. Drew Peterson contributed a career-high 21 PTS and Alondes Williams scored 20 PTS.
Game 2 against the Wolves was one to forget for the Force as the team couldn’t get much going offensively and failed to score 100 points as a team for the first time this season, falling to the Wolves 103-86. Alondes Williams led the Skyforce with 22 PTS, 9 AST and 8 REB. Orlando Robinson added 13 PTS, 13 REB and 4 BLK. Iowa was led by Javonte Cooke (21 PTS) and D.J. Carton (20 PTS).
Most recently, the Skyforce hit the road to take on the 5-1 Motor City Cruise in Detroit, Michigan.
The Skyforce had 8 active players for this game, including Landon Kirkwood who re-signed with the team the day of the game. Sioux Falls was without 6 regular contributors, which opened opportunities for players to step up.
Alondes Williams put on an absolute show, scoring a career-high 42 PTS. Drew Peterson (26 PTS), Caleb Daniels (21 PTS) and Bryson Warren (19 PTS) all also recorded career-highs in a dominate 145-127 road victory.
The Skyforce will look to carry the momentum gained against Motor City into Cleveland against the Charge on Friday, December 1st, at 6 PM.
Sioux Falls returns home for bouts against the Indiana Mad Ants and Grand Rapids Gold on December 5th and 6th at 6:30 PM.