Matas Buzelis Sinks Game-Winning Basket To Lift Ignite Past Rip City, 108-106

HENDERSON, Nev., Dec. 12, 2023 – NBA G League Ignite (3-9) defeated the Rip City Remix (7-6), 108-106, on Tuesday night at The Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, Nev.

Ron Holland led Ignite after recording his sixth consecutive 20-point game to finish with a game-high 28 points with eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks. Matas Buzelis followed with a final stat line of 21 points, eight rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks on 6-of-8 shooting from the field, including the game-winning basket. John Jenkins added 18 points on 5-of-7 shooting from behind the arc, while London Johnson contributed 12 points and five assists.

Justin Minaya paced the Remix with 18 points, eight rebounds and three steals on 7-of-13 shots from the field, including 4-of-8 from the three-point line. Alex Reese and Malachi Smith provided a spark off the beach as Reese tallied 16 points, while Smith posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

In a back-and-forth opening period that saw eight lead changes, Ignite held an early advantage (32-30) heading into the second quarter. Ignite shot 61.1 percent from the field, including 83.3 percent from the three-point line in the opening frame. Both teams continued their hot shooting in the second quarter as neither team pulled away from each other. Alex Reese poured 10 of his 16 points in the second period to help the Remix take a five-point lead at the halfway mark. The Remix opened the second half on a 21-4 run en route to a 22-point lead, the largest of the game, with under five minutes remaining in the third quarter. Ignite quickly responded with 12 consecutive points to close the period with a 10-point deficit. The Remix held an 11-point lead with a little over three minutes remaining in regulation. Ignite locked in defensively down the stretch to limit the Remix to only four points for the remainder of the game. Ignite used a 13-4 run, including six clutch free throws, to tie the game (106-106) with 28 seconds remaining. Ignite forced a late turnover to create a last-second shot opportunity. On what seemed to be a broken play, Ron Holland dished it out to Matas Buzelis, who drained a 12-foot fade-a-way shot with four ticks remaining on the game clock to help Ignite complete the 22-point come-from-behind victory.   

NEXT UP

The two teams will square off again on Thursday, Dec. 12, at The Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, Nev., tipping off at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET. Coverage will be available on ESPNU.