The Texas Legends delivered for their fans on Saturday night by winning their home opener 129-123 over the Oklahoma City Blue at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco.

It wasn’t easy for the Legends early on.  Oklahoma City jumped out to a 19-8 lead in the first quarter before the outside shot began to fall for Texas.  The Legends would eventually work their way in front as the first half went on, but would never fully take control of the game. 

Several members of the Legends took turns being the driving forces of the team’s success throughout the game.  Two-way contract player Johnathan Motley struggled early on but found some easy baskets in the paint to jump start his eventual 23 point, 11 rebound performance.

The fourth quarter saw the Legends narrowly maintain a one or two possession game throughout as both teams struggled to consistently get a stop. 

When asked about what it took to eventually pull out the win, forward Brandon Ashley said it came down to “running our plays the right way, playing solid defense, being efficient with the shots we took and the possessions we had.”  The 25 year-old San Francisco-native scored 21 points on the night.

Six Legends finished in double figures, including a game high 28 from Justin Dentmon, and the balanced scoring attack proved too much for the Blue to handle down the stretch.  Dentmon, the G-League’s (then D-League) most valuable player back in 2012, appreciates the help on offense from his teammates.

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“I don’t have to break my neck trying to get to the basket or trying to get my shot off,” Dentmon joked.  “Now I have help.  It helps me facilitate more.”

The win improved the Legends to 3-2 on the young season and they will stay home for their next three games.  The Legends’ next opponent is the Golden State Warriors’ G-League affiliate: the Santa Cruz Warriors.  Santa Cruz has a 5-2 record as of Saturday night.

Perhaps Tuesday will be the Legends debut for the Dallas Mavericks’ new two-way contract player Antonious Cleveland.  The 23 year-old guard was active for the Mavs on Friday and Saturday, making him unable to suit up for the Legends.  With the Mavericks off on Tuesday, Cleveland would likely be free to get some action for the Legends.

Stay tuned to Dallas Sports Fanatic for in-depth coverage of the Texas Legends this season.