Peachtree Hoops: NBA D-League Season Begins, Reno Bighorns Drop Opening Two Games

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The Atlanta Hawks D-League affiliate the Reno Bighorns dropped back-to-back games to the Bakersfield Jam to open the 2011-12 NBA D-League Season. 

November 25, 2011

Bakersfield Jam 122, Reno Bighorns 97

Blake Ahearn finished with 26 points and six assists but the Bighorns fell in their season opener by a score of 122-97. Nick Fezekas also had 21 points and nine rebounds for Reno in the loss. Brian Butch finished with 28 points and 14 rebounds for Bakersfield. 

November 26, 2011

Bakersfield Jam 118, Reno Bighorns 111

Blake Ahearn scored a game-high 30 points but the Reno Bighorns dropped their second consecutive game to the Bakersfield Jam by a score of 118-111. Ahearn also finished with eight assists in the loss. Nick Fazekas and Doug Thomas logged double-doubles for the Bighorns. Former Atlanta Hawks guard Cedric Bozeman finished with 19 points and eight assists. Brian Butch finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds to once again lead the Jam.

Player To Watch: Blake Ahearn

Through two games Blake Ahearn is averaging a D-League best 28 points per game for the Bighorns. Ahearn is a five year veteran of the D-League and averaged 16.9 points and 5.8 assists last season for the Erie Bayhawks. His best season came back in the 2008-09 season when he averaged 22.7 points and 5.0 assists per game for the Dakota Wizards. Reno acquired Ahearn along with Taj McCullough in exchange for Donald Sloan and draft pick Joseph Kennerly. 

Ahearn played a 12 game stint with the Miami Heat during the 2007-08 season playing 14.8 minutes and averaging 5.8 points and 1.6 assists. He played three games with the San Antonio Spurs in the 2008-09 season. The 6-foot-3 point guard out of Missouri State is trying to hone his lead guard skills in hopes of earning another trip back to the NBA this season. 

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