Even though the team is nowhere near the same one that won last year’s NBA Development League title, the Austin Toros are champions.  They played like it on Saturday by toppling the Sioux Falls Skyforce 111-102 after taking a ten point loss the night before.

Once again, the fourth quarter was the money frame and Austin used crisp passing and hard cuts to outscore the ‘Force 31 to 20 in the last twelve minutes.  It spoiled the efforts of Andrew Goudelock who hit his first 8 shots on his way to 35 points.  It was the highest scoring effort by a Sioux Falls player since Patrick Ewing, Jr. tallied 35 on March 15, 2011.

The Toros put together the decisive run with Justin Dentmon on the bench.  He may have been last year’s MVP, but the efforts of Tyler Wilkerson with 26 points and 14 rebounds was more than enough to carry Austin.  Aubrey Coleman for the Toros chipped in 21 points with 11 boards.  The Sioux Falls effort included 20 points from Demetris Nichols while the Jarvis Varnado contribution was 18 points, 12 rebounds and 6 blocks.

Two road games for the Skyforce come next with a trip to Texas to play the Legends on Friday night with chance for revenge against Austin on Saturday.  Austin will play an additional game on Tuesday at home against the Legends before settling in for an appetizer with Reno on Friday.

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