SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Jarnell Stokes scored 24 points and pulled down eight rebounds, and the Sioux Falls Skyforce opened their two-game weekend series against the Maine Red Claws with a 97-77 win on Friday night at the Sanford Pentagon.
Omari Johnson led the Red Claws (3-3) with 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and Jordan Mickey recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Malcolm Miller and Levi Randolph each added 14 points for the Red Claws.
Maine opened the game on a 9-2 run and led until Sioux Falls (3-2) took an 18-17 lead with 2:37 left in the first quarter.
The Skyforce did not trail again.
Sioux Falls held the Red Claws to just 14 points in the second quarter to build a 47-33 halftime lead.
Maine got to within six points in the third quarter, but Sioux Falls pushed the lead to 73-63 at the end of the quarter.
The Red Claws were held scoreless for the first 5:26 of the fourth as Sioux Falls started to pull away.
Keith Benson chipped in 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Skyforce, Tre Kelley also scored 14, and Greg Whittington had 11 points and nine boards.
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