Legends Defeat Los Angeles

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FRISCO, TX, — The Texas Legends continued the fight for first place in the Southwest Division with a 118-109 victory over the Los Angeles D-Fenders Friday night.

Despite 15 lead changes, the Legends finished on top at every buzzer. Justin Jackson grabbed 13 points and four rebounds in the first quarter to put the Legends up 28-26. The scoring spread broadened in the second as eight of the 10 Legends players on the court grabbed points. Mike and Damion James paired up for 16 of the 31 points that pushed the Legends to a 59-56 lead at the half.

Texas took off to a quick start in the third going up by six in the first seconds of the game, but a 6-0 run by Los Angeles would erase the lead as quickly as it came. Six lead changes and six ties later, the Legends’ newest members, William Buford and Myck Kabongo, knocked in back-to-back baskets to build a five-point gap heading into the final minutes. Those points would prove to be exactly what the Legends needed as they forged through the fourth quarter without relinquishing the lead. Booker Woodfox knocked down a triple early in the fourth to take the Legends up 11 for the largest lead of the game. Zach Andrews led the rally cry for Los Angeles with nine points, but the Legends had an answer for every basket. Woodfox grabbed eight of the

Legends’ 29 final points as the team captured the victory in front of their home crowd.

The Legends shot 56.4% on the night while Los Angeles rounded out at 45.5%. The two teams each totaled 43 rebounds but the difference came in the passing as the Legends were able to spread the ball and forge a chemistry amongst new additions, dishing out 32 assists to the D-Fenders’ 14.

Five Legends players hit double digits and three of those added double-doubles. Jackson had a season-high 25 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocked shots to lead the Legends. Mike James added 22 points and a season-high 11 assists, while Damion James added the Legends’ third double-double with 20 points, 12 rebounds.

Vander Blue led all scorers with 31 points to power on the D-Fenders. Zach Andrews (18 points, 12 rebounds) and Roscoe Smith (14 points, 11 rebounds) added the team’s only double-doubles.

The Legends will finish their double-header at home Saturday night hosting the Rio Grande Valley Vipers at 7pm. The game will be broadcast live on television—KTXD47—and radio—KVCE1160am. For more information on the team or the full season schedule call 214-469-0822 or visit www.TexLegends.com.