L.I. Nets earn split with Fort Wayne

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The Long Island Nets (4-5), the NBA G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, defeated the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2-3) 115-112 on Jan. 20 at Nassau Coliseum.

Long Island forward Brandon Rachal had a strong game for the Nets, tallying 24 points, eight rebounds and two assists while shooting 10-of-15 from the field in 37 minutes. Nets forward Craig Randall II and Nets guard Bryce Brown notched 22 points each. Randall II also recorded six rebounds and seven assists in 44 minutes, while Brown added seven rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes.

Long Island was unable to get into a groove to start the match, trailing Fort Wayne by as many as five points in the opening minutes of the first quarter. The Nets were able find their feet to close the period ahead by one, 35-34. Although the two teams tied the match five times in the second quarter, Fort Wayne’s effort was not strong enough to take the lead. Long Island went into the half up by two, 65-63.

The Mad Ants sought redemption after the break, but it never came. The Nets continued their strong performance into the final quarter of play ahead by three, 88-85. Long Island led by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Mad Ants.

Fort Wayne’s effort was led by forward Justin Anderson, who tallied 24 points, eight rebounds and two assists in 39 minutes. Mad Ants forward Nate Hinton recorded 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes.