Keith Hornsby erupted for 47 points as the NS Matrix defeated Taiwan's Fubon Braves 100-91 in their first match of the 2017 Seri Mutiara Cup on Tuesday.
The former Dallas Mavericks shooting guard shot 76 percent from the field and 62 percent from three, contributing five rebounds and five assists at the same time.
In comparison, the visitors' top scorers were John Bohannon and Garret Siler with 17 points each, while the Malaysian side's other foreigners — Bryson Fonville, Jaleel Roberts, Jeff Viernes and Joseph John Avila — combined for 48 points, just one point more than Hornsby.
Liew Wei Yuong was the only Malaysian to net any point with five.
Besides Hornsby's dominating performance, the Matrix were in control for most of the game largely due to their opponents getting undone by turnovers as they gave up the ball 24 times.
Although the Braves managed to peg back to 75-75 with 8:45 remaining in the fourth quarter, the home side took a 15-2 run in a five-minute span to all but seal the victory.
The Matrix will next face defending champions Guangzhou Long Lions, who lost to Croatian outfit KK Split 51-77 in an earlier match.
The game will be shown live on Astro Arena on Wednesday at 7pm.
OTHER SCORES
Beijing Fly Dragons (China) 82-69 LG Sakers (South Korea)
Link Tochigi Brex (Japan) 75-69 Kano Pillars (Nigeria)
(Picture: Facebook/NBL Asia)
The former Dallas Mavericks shooting guard shot 76 percent from the field and 62 percent from three, contributing five rebounds and five assists at the same time.
In comparison, the visitors' top scorers were John Bohannon and Garret Siler with 17 points each, while the Malaysian side's other foreigners — Bryson Fonville, Jaleel Roberts, Jeff Viernes and Joseph John Avila — combined for 48 points, just one point more than Hornsby.
Liew Wei Yuong was the only Malaysian to net any point with five.
Besides Hornsby's dominating performance, the Matrix were in control for most of the game largely due to their opponents getting undone by turnovers as they gave up the ball 24 times.
Although the Braves managed to peg back to 75-75 with 8:45 remaining in the fourth quarter, the home side took a 15-2 run in a five-minute span to all but seal the victory.
The Matrix will next face defending champions Guangzhou Long Lions, who lost to Croatian outfit KK Split 51-77 in an earlier match.
The game will be shown live on Astro Arena on Wednesday at 7pm.
OTHER SCORES
Beijing Fly Dragons (China) 82-69 LG Sakers (South Korea)
Link Tochigi Brex (Japan) 75-69 Kano Pillars (Nigeria)
(Picture: Facebook/NBL Asia)
