GREENSBORO, N.C. — John Gillon scored a game-high 28 points for the Greensboro Swarm, the NBA G League affiliate of the Charlotte Hornets, but it was not enough to overcome the eight double-digit scorers of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in a, 127-115, defeat on Thursday at the Fieldhouse at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. Greensboro and Fort Wayne now have identical records, 23-26.
The game was tight heading into the fourth quarter. However, Fort Wayne jumped to a double figure lead, 103-92, after an 11-0 run with 9:13 remaining in the game. The Swarm climbed within six points of the Mad Ants down the stretch but 52 percent shooting (13-25 FG) by Fort Wayne in the quarter secured the win for the visitors. Fort Wayne managed to outscore the Swarm, 39-25, in the period.
Gillon’s 28 points were the most he has scored as a member of the Swarm this season. He also had eight assists and three rebounds in 29 minutes. JP Macura had his ninth game of at least 20 points after scoring 20 on 8-of-16 shooting to go with four rebounds and four assists. Other double figure scorers for Greensboro included Isaiah Wilkins (13 points), Jaylen Barford (13), Zach Smith (10), Malik Pope (10) and Tyler Nelson (10).
For the Mad Ants, Stephan Hicks had a team-high 25 points, nine rebounds and three assists in 39 minutes. In addition to Hicks, the entire starting five all scored 10-plus — Davon Reed (17), Edmond Sumner (16), Alize Johnson (13), Omari Johnson (11). The Mad Ants’ starters shot 51 percent in the game.