Red-Hot Bighorns Top D-Fenders for Fifth Straight

Reno 106, Los Angeles 97

RENO, Nev., Jan. 11, 2009 -- Patrick Ewing Jr. scored 11 of his team-high 19 points in the second half as the Reno Bighorns won their fifth straight with Sunday's 106-97 win over the visiting Los Angeles D-Fenders.

The Bighorns improved to 6-12, while staying ahead of the D-Fenders (4-13) at the bottom of the West Division standings.

Reno built a seven-point lead at halftime behind Jesse Smith, who scored 12 of his 16 points in the first two quarters.

Los Angeles battled back in the third behind Brandon Heath as it outscored Reno 32-28 to trim the deficit to three entering the final quarter. But Ewing scored seven points in the fourth as the Bighorns held on for the victory.

Heath led all scorers with 38 points. Joe Crawford finished with 23, while Dwayne Mitchell added 13 and 11 rebounds for the D-Fenders.

Donte Greene, who was sent to the Bighorns Saturday via the Sacramento Kings, posted 14 points. Antonio Meeking recorded 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Reno goes for its sixth straight win when it hosts Los Angeles in a rematch on Tuesday.