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Wisconsin Herd: Quick reactions from 123-95 loss to Westchester Knicks

By Tim Wray

ERIE, PA - JANUARY 27: Robert Johnson #10 of the Wisconsin Herd drives at the top of the key against the Erie BayHawks at the Erie Insurance Arena on January 27, 2019 in Erie, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Robert Frank/NBAE via Getty Images)
ERIE, PA - JANUARY 27: Robert Johnson #10 of the Wisconsin Herd drives at the top of the key against the Erie BayHawks at the Erie Insurance Arena on January 27, 2019 in Erie, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Robert Frank/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Shorthanded in consecutive games, the Wisconsin Herd were unable to find their rhythm on either end of the floor, providing little trouble for the playoff-bound Westchester Knicks on Saturday night in Oshkosh.

Missing both two-way players, Bonzie Colson and Trevon Duval, who could theoretically remain with the Bucks for the final three weeks of the NBA G League season, frequent assignee Christian Wood, and Nick Johnson, thanks to a calf injury sustained early in their win over the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the Wisconsin Herd already found themselves fighting an uphill battle, which only became steeper, as the Westchester Knicks controlled the paint en route to a dominant 123-95 victory at Menominee Nation Arena.

The Herd began slowly, struggling to prevent the Knicks finding – and converting – easy opportunities at the rim, yet managed to end the first quarter within nine points, 33-24, courtesy of back-to-back triples from Elijah Stewart.

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However, Wisconsin started to pile up turnovers in the second period (totaling 12 at the half, and 19 for the game), allowing Westchester to pull away with a +18 quarter, and lead by 27, 69-42 at the major break.

From there, the result was never really in doubt, as the Herd trudged through some ugly basketball, trailing by 39-points after three, and 43-points a couple of minutes into the fourth period.

Salvaging some pride, Wisconsin was able to find their offense late, clawing back 11 points by the final buzzer, sealing a 28-point margin, and their 31st loss (10 wins) of the season, and a series sweep for Westchester (3-0 by 97-points, including a 56-point defeat!).

Former Bucks Summer Leaguer, Stephen Zimmerman was a standout for the Knicks, posting 23-points and nine rebounds on 13 shots in just 24 minutes.

Player of the Game

On a forgettable night for the Herd, which included an extremely uncharacteristic 3-of-18 shooting performance from Michael Qualls, and a -43 plus/minus for Xavier Munford (17 points and seven rebounds), Robert Johnson was the clear choice for Player of the Game. Johnson backed up his excellent performance down the stretch against Fort Wayne with 21 points (17 in the second half, and 12 of those in the final quarter), four rebounds and three assists on this occasion.

Also worth a mention, Greek guard Kanellos Garbis took his opportunity with both hands, recording five points, four rebounds, five assists, and a steal, on perfect 2-of-2 shooting from the field, in 16 minutes of action, all of which are career-highs for the 26-year-old.

Next. Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s case for Defensive Player of the Year. dark

The 10-31 Wisconsin Herd will round out their three-game home-stand against the 29-12, Western Conference leading Santa Cruz Warriors, at 7PM Central on Wednesday Night. You can catch the game live on ESPN+, which does require a subscription.

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