Terence Dill’s Houston Red Storm extended their winning streak to four games after overcoming an early double-digit deficit to defeat the Lafayette Ballers 125-121 in a high-octane road rematch.
The Red Storm showcased their resilience after falling behind 37-24 early in the contest. Houston ignited a blistering 16-point run to seize the lead and never looked back, heading into the locker room with a 62-57 halftime advantage.
The victory was fueled by a dominant "one-two punch" from the Red Storm’s leading figures. Dylan Spriggins led all scorers with 34 points, proving once again why he remains the premier scoring threat in the ABA. Meanwhile, Cameron Moore continued his historic run of form, recording another massive triple-double with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and a game-high 16 assists.
While the marquee names shone bright, it was Lonzo Rand who provided the game’s turning point. In a masterful third quarter where Houston outscored Lafayette 42-31, Rand exploded for 15 points, finishing the night with 30. His ability to draw fouls and convert at the line proved vital in the closing minutes.
Houston’s "Mr. Clean" candidate, Gabriel Drayton, anchored the interior with a phenomenal 21-rebound performance to go along with 14 points. The Red Storm's collective effort resulted in 60 total rebounds, allowing them to withstand a barrage of 17 three-pointers from the Ballers.
Defensively, Eric Williams set the tone with three steals, leading a ball-pressure unit that forced 11 total turnovers to secure the win. The Red Storm also displayed elite efficiency from deep, shooting 47% as a team, led by multiple triples from Spriggins, Gerry Glover—who contributed 18 points—and Rand.
"Winning on the road in this league is never easy, especially against a young team that shoots the ball as well as Lafayette did tonight," said Coach Terence Dill. "Trailing by 13 early on could have rattled a lesser team, but our veteran leadership took over. Lonzo’s third quarter was spectacular, and Gabriel Drayton owning the boards was the difference-maker".
|