The Valley Suns faced a tough challenge on the road Thursday night, falling to the Austin Spurs in a commanding 145-86 defeat at the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, Texas. The loss was a difficult one for the Suns, who were unable to keep pace with the high-scoring Spurs in a game that saw Austin explode for 76 points in the second half alone.

Head Coach John Little shared his thoughts after the game: “We faced a tough opponent tonight. While the outcome is disappointing, it’s an opportunity for us to learn and improve.”

The Suns, who came into the game with a 3-2 record, were outmatched from the outset. The Spurs quickly asserted themselves, closing the first quarter with a 30-21 lead. By halftime, Austin had extended the advantage to 69-45, fueled by a 15-point performance from guard Malachi Flynn and strong contributions across the board. The second half was more of the same, as the Spurs poured on the offense and completely outpaced the Suns.

Struggles for the Suns:

Valley struggled with both scoring and defense throughout the game. Jaden Shackleford, the Suns’ leading scorer, finished with 16 points, while Mamadi Diakite added 13. TyTy Washington Jr. and Collin Gillespie chipped in with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Despite their efforts, the Suns were never able to find a rhythm, and Austin’s pressure defense stifled any momentum.

Austin’s Dominance:

For the Spurs, it was a balanced offensive attack that carried them to a dominant victory. David Duke Jr. and Malachi Flynn both contributed 22 points, while Jamaree Bouyea tallied 21 points and seven assists. Sidy Cissoko added 17 points to round out the Spurs’ impressive offensive performance. Austin’s ability to share the ball and hit from all areas of the court was a key factor in the overwhelming result.

The win improves the Austin Spurs’ record to 4-3, while the Valley Suns drop to 3-3. Despite the rough outcome, Coach Little remained focused on the future, emphasizing that each game is an opportunity for growth.

Moving Forward:

The Suns will look to regroup as they prepare for their next game, knowing that they’ll need to bounce back quickly from this tough loss. With a roster filled with promising talent, the Valley Suns will take this defeat as a learning experience, knowing that the road ahead still offers plenty of opportunities for improvement.

As Coach Little said, “We’ll keep learning from these experiences. We’ll be better prepared for the next challenge.”

For Suns fans, it’s important to remember that while the team may have stumbled against a tough Spurs squad, there is still plenty of potential for the Valley Suns to rise in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Suns’ season as they continue to build and develop under Coach Little’s leadership.