The Texas Legends (1-0) whirled through their season opener with a wire-to-wire victory over the Lakeland Magic (0-1) 114-98.
Justin Jackson grabbed the first points of the game to give Texas the lead they would carry all night. Jackson finished the first with 11 points, joined by Carlik Jones with 12 to put the Legends up eight at the buzzer. Texas went on a 9-0 run to end the second taking their largest lead of the half 54-39.
The defending Champs cut the lead to eight midway through the third, but Jackson responded with a long ball and the Legends fired off for a 16-point difference heading into the final quarter. Texas maintained a double-digit advantage through the fourth behind Jones’ game-high 11 to seal their first victory of the season.
Jones led all scorers with 37 points while adding 5 rebounds, 4 assists. Jackson finished with the team’s first double-double of the season of 25 points, 12 rebounds. Yudai Baba came off the bench to add 13 points, 5 rebounds joined by Olin Carter III with 12 points, 7 rebounds. Dallas Mavericks Two-Way JaQuori McLaughlin knocked down 4-of-7 to finish with 12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.
BJ Johnson led the Magic with 27 points, 5 rebounds, and TJ Haws grabbed a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double. Hassani Gravett added 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists while Admiral Schofield rounded out the double-digit scorers with 16 points, 6 rebounds.
The two teams will face off again tomorrow night at 6pm CT. Fans can catch all the action live on www.TexLegends.com.