Grizz Gaming loses despite AuthenticAfrican’s 32 point showing
June 2, 2018
Grizz Gaming proved their mettle the majority of the game but faltered down the stretch, losing to Magic Gaming 74-68 and moving to 1-4 in regular season play.
AuthenticAfrican (Mehyar Ahmed-Hassan) set a new franchise record with 32 points on 12-of-17 shooting (4-6 3P). His four three-pointers also tied a season-high for any Grizz Gaming player. The team’s 68 points marked a new season-high and its seven three-pointers tied a season-high that was achieved twice prior.
The two teams traded buckets before DDouble2K (Daniel Davis) and AuthenticAfrican threes gave Grizz Gaming a 19-14 lead in the first quarter. The team ended the opening frame with a 21-16 lead. Grizz Gaming led by as many as nine in the second quarter, but Magic Gaming cut the deficit to 36-34 at halftime. AuthenticAfrican was flawless in the first half, scoring 19 points on 8-of-8 shooting (2-2 3P).
After Magic Gaming took a 40-39 lead early in the third quarter, AyeTHREAT (Troy Minott II), who went scoreless in the first half, hit a mid-range jumper, then recorded a steal that led him to a layup and one. AyeTHREAT would go on to score another bucket to give Grizz Gaming a 46-40 lead. Magic Gaming responded with a 9-2 run of their own before Grizz Gaming took a 50-49 lead heading into the final period. Things unraveled in the fourth quarter as Magic Gaming held a 24-18 advantage.
Antonio Saldivar (UniversalPhenom) continued his productive ways with 17 points and seven rebounds, marking the first time in five games he did not grab at least eight boards. It’s his eighth double-digit scoring performance in nine games this season. AyeTHREAT scored all 10 of his points in the second half.
The frontcourt duo of KingCamRoyalty (Cameron Ford; 19 points, five rebounds) and marley213s (Jorge Renteria; 18 points, six rebounds, four assists) combined for 37 of Magic Gaming’s 73 points as well as 11 of the team’s 18 rebounds. KontruL (Christopher Cantrell) had a game-high 15 assists along with 12 points and four steals
Grizz Gaming will take a break from regular season action and partake in the NBA 2K League’s second tournament of its inaugural campaign. Full details and a schedule will be released early this coming week and, as usual, games will be held inside the NBA 2K League Studio Powered by Intel in New York City. Fans can tune in to the action at twitch.com/NBA2KLeague.