OSHKOSH, Wis. (November 12, 2022) – The Wisconsin Herd, the NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, beat the Motor City Cruise in the Herd’s first overtime of the season 135-133. A very dominant offensive quarter lead to 36 points for the Herd but the Cruise answered with a 37-point fourth quarter. At the end of the fourth quarter, the Herd and the Cruise tied 128-128. The game entered a seven-point target score overtime for the first time in Herd history. Jordan Bone knocked down a free throw to win the game 135-133.
The Herd was led by Jontay Porter with a career and team high of 30 points, 3 assists and 6 rebounds. Jordan Bone added 18 points, 8 assists and 3 rebounds followed by Lindell Wigginton with 17 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds. Two-way player Sandro Mamukelashvili played in his first Herd game of the season posting 14 points, 3 assists, and 7 rebounds.
Two-way player for the Cruise, Buddy Boeheim led Motor City with 25 points and RJ Nembhard Jr. added 24 points.
The Cruise opened the game with eight unanswered points, but the Herd made a quick comeback going on a 14-0 run. Jontay Porter made his second three of the quarter to put the Herd up by nine with five minutes remaining. Lindell Wigginton added another three-point shot to increase the Herd’s lead to 12 points. The Cruise ended the half scoring 16 points to go ahead 38-34 at the end of the first quarter.
The Herd scored three consecutive three-point baskets to go up 43-42 at the beginning of the second quarter. The Cruise answered taking the lead but back-to-back baskets from Jordan Bone tied the game at 49-49. The two teams battled back and forth till the Herd scored seven points to go up 64-62. Elijah Hughes finished the half with a successful free throw for three points to put the Herd ahead 69-67 at the half. Jontay Porter was on top for the Herd with 13 points in the first half.
To open the third quarter the Herd went on a 12-0 run to go up 81-69. The Herd continued a dominating offensive quarter going up by 17 points at the five-minute mark. A layup from Joe Wieskamp put the Herd at 100 points with one minute remaining. At the end of the third quarter, the Herd led 105-91.
The Cruise went on an 11-2 run to come within five with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Jontay Porter hit a three to put the Herd up 112-111 at the seven-minute mark. The Cruise took the lead 113-112 but Lindell Wigginton completed a free throw to the Herd back up 114-113. The two teams tied 116-116 with four minutes left. The Herd and the Cruise traded the lead five times in two minutes. The Cruise completed one free throw, but Jontay Porter answered with a three to put the Herd ahead 128-126 with 20 seconds remaining. The game tied 128-128 sending the game into overtime.
New this year, the NBA G League implemented a Target Score of adding seven points to the tied score for overtime games. The Target Score was set to 135 and the first team to hit or surpass wins. Rob Edwards hit a three to put the Herd at 131 but the Cruise nailed a three-pointer to tie the game at 131. Lindell Wigginton was sent to the line and connected 1 of 2 to put the Herd up 132 to 131. The Cruise answered back with a driving layup shot driving them ahead 133 to 132. Jordan Bone was sent to the line and dropped in a Foul Shot to tie the game 133 to 133. After a hard-fought battle Jordan Bone was sent to the line again sealing the victory with a free throw.
POSTGAME RECAP WRITTEN BY: JAMIE WINSTED – WISCONSIN HERD PUBLIC RELATIONS
