Long Island Nets Fall in Overtime Thriller on Education Day

The Long Island Nets (5-7), G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, came up short in a tightly contested overtime battle on Tuesday afternoon, falling 114-107 to the College Park Skyhawks (5-7). The game, Long Island’s annual Education Day matchup at Nassau Coliseum, drew an energetic crowd of 5,771 students and fans.

Standout Performances for Long Island

Forward Nate Williams continued his strong run of play, recording 25 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and a block while shooting over 50% from the floor, including 4-of-5 from three. The performance marked his fourth straight outing with 20 or more points, tying the longest scoring streak of his career.

Brooklyn assignee Nolan Traore filled the stat sheet with 19 points, a career-best seven rebounds, seven assists, and four steals—hitting 9-of-14 from the field in 38 minutes. Off the bench, Trevon Scott posted 12 points, seven boards, and three assists, knocking down multiple threes for the ninth consecutive game—his longest such G League streak. Fellow Brooklyn assignee Drake Powell made his G League debut, contributing eight points, seven rebounds, and five assists with a block in 28 minutes of action.

A Game of Runs

Traore opened the afternoon with the game’s first five points, and Long Island knocked down four threes in the first quarter, yet trailed 31-28 after 12 minutes. The Nets responded in the second period with a 14-6 stretch that helped trim the halftime deficit to just two points, 52-50, while winning the rebounding battle early.

Long Island’s perimeter attack caught fire again in the third frame, as five additional three-pointers helped tie the game at 81 heading into the fourth. The Nets then surged ahead during a 16-6 run early in the final quarter, but the Skyhawks clawed back to regain control.

Down the stretch, Powell calmly sank two free throws to bring Long Island within one with 13 seconds left. After College Park made one of two from the stripe, Tyson Etienne drove for a clutch game-tying layup with five seconds remaining to force overtime—thanks also in part to Powell’s buzzer-beating block on the defensive end. Unfortunately for Long Island, the Skyhawks owned the extra period, holding the Nets scoreless in overtime to secure the victory.

Despite the loss, Long Island posted a season-best 50 total rebounds, including 42 defensive boards, and held College Park to a season-low seven fast-break points.

College Park Leaders

The Skyhawks were fueled by Javan Johnson, who delivered a 25-point outing, while Eli John Ndiaye helped control the paint with 17 points and 13 rebounds in 37 minutes.

Next Up

Long Island will head to Westchester for a Wednesday night matchup with the Knicks on December 10 at 7 p.m. ET. College Park returns home to take on the Greensboro Swarm on Friday, December 12, also scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET tip.