The Capital City Go-Go defeat the OKC Blue 118-111 to cap off a 3-1 home stand before heading out on the road this week. The Go-Go continued their hot shooting and had a balanced scoring effort in a game they controlled nearly start to finish. OKC made a couple of pushes but Capital City showed poise and grit to hold off for the win.
The game had a back and forth flow for much of the first quarter but the Go-Go used a 10-run to close out the period to build a 34-26 lead. Jalen Jones started out on fire. He had 12 points in the opening frame and was perfect from the field (3-3, 2-2 from three point range).
Both teams had some issues taking care of the basketball combining for 11 turnovers (Capital City – 4, OKC – 7). OKC shot a dismal 39.1% (9-23) in the quarter but they pounded the glass and made the most of their additional opportunities. They had four offensive rebounds which led to six second chance points. They out rebounded the Go-Go 13-9 altogether. Capital City was lights out from the field shooting 50% and made six threes (6-11, 54.5%).
The second quarter was more of the same from the Go-Go as they kept up their shooting pace. Jalen Hudson got things started early with two quick baskets to begin the quarter. OKC started finding success running the pick and roll with Justin Patton getting some easy looks.
But the Go-Go still kept their foot on the gas. Jalen Hudson continued putting pressure on the defense ended the quarter with 14 points. This was a welcome contribution as the Capital City reserves struggled last game. Admiral Schofield started finding his way offensively as well and was getting active on the glass finishing the half with 12 points and five rebounds. He said postgame the basket started opening up for him when he stopped forcing the issue and let the game come to him. He looked much more comfortable in the second quarter and eased into a couple of threes. OKC struggled from behind the arc in the first half. They shot 4-19 (21.1%) and finished 21-47 overall (44.7%).
After the half, the Go-Go’s offense slowed down a bit and OKC was able to make a couple of pushes in the quarter. Capital City has struggled playing with leads all season and dropped their last game to Fort Wayne after being up big early. OKC started making shots and they were able to create turnovers. Sedrick Barefield came alive for the Blue scoring 12 points in the period. They cut the lead down to two but Ike Iroegbu made a huge three from the left corner to stop their momentum. Kellen Dunham followed up with a lay up to take the lead up to seven and put some distance between the teams. The Go-Go continued to play solid defense and make shots when they needed them to take a five point lead into the final period.
Capital City started fast in the fourth and made a quick run to push the lead up to 11. After a poor performance from distance for most of the game, OKC started to get hot. The Blue moved the ball well in the quarter which led to some high quality looks at the basket. The GoGo countered with an equally efficient output. In a game where offense seemed to be coming from everywhere for the home team, Jerian Grant took center stage in the last period. He scored 10 points in the quarter and put on a midrange display scoring six straight points for the Go-Go down the stretch to keep OKC at bay. Admiral Schofield finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds to record his second double double of the season. The Go-Go had six players score in double figures. They also tied their season high with 15 made threes and shot 55.6% from deep. They are starting to put together a string of impressive shooting performances as they have been about 50% from the field for the last three games.
Hopefully they will remain as potent when they leave the confines of the Entertainment and Sports Arena.
The Go-Go will head out on the road to take on the Maine Red Claws on Thursday. They currently stand at .500. Coach Richman has been pleased with the team’s development so far and he is looking forward to the challenges that await them. He lauded his guys’ offensive performance as of late and attributed it to their unselfishness and willingness to make the right play. This was a solid performance for the GoGo as Jerian Grant led them with 21 points. Devon Hall had a career high 26 points for OKC.
The GoGo will be back home on Jan. 15th after a few games out of town.
