STUNNER! Kirkland's 49-Point Explosion Leads Winless Warriors Past Favorite Gunslingers!
UPSET OF THE SEASON! In the most shocking result of the year, the previously winless Woodward Avenue Warriors (0-5) defended their home court and stunned the preseason league favorite Gunslingers, 124-111. A capacity crowd of 19,999 at the M-1 Superdome witnessed their team get its first win in spectacular fashion.
The Warriors, who played at the same effort level as their highly-favored opponent, won this game with a blistering offensive display and a dominant third quarter where they outscored the Gunslingers 36-20.
The story was G. Kirkland. The Warriors' small forward was simply transcendent, erupting for a season-high 49 points (18-31 FG), 10 rebounds, and 7 assists in a legendary performance. The entire team was on fire, shooting a scorching 57.9% (11-for-19) from three-point range. M. Senghor added 17 points on 5-for-8 shooting, while Y. Diarra chipped in 15 points and 8 boards.
The high-powered Gunslingers' offense showed up, but their defense did not. M. Vasil (30 points) and T. Wirayuda (27 points, 6 assists) were fantastic, and M. Macolino notched a bizarre near triple-double with 6 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. Despite dishing out 32 assists, the Gunslingers had no answer for Kirkland and couldn't overcome the Warriors' red-hot shooting.
The Warriors get their first joyful win of the season, moving to 1-5. The stunned Gunslingers are dealt their second loss, falling to 4-2.