SHAWNEE, OKLA. — There were storms all around on Saturday night, both outside and inside FireLake Arena. The storm inside the arena was led by TBL All-Star Deshawn Munson, as the guard registered his fifth triple double of the season leading the Potawatomi Fire to their eleventh win, a 133-104 triumph over the Sugar Land Imperials.

After notching his fourth triple-double on Friday night versus Rockwall, Deshawn Munson (East St. Louis, Ill. / Harris-Stowe) recorded number five on Saturday, tallying 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Mustapha Traore (Philadelphia, Pa. / Monmouth) and Anthony Allen (Kingston, Jamaica / Oklahoma State) both had double-doubles— Traore had 28 points and 10 rebounds while Allen had 16 rebounds to go along with 16 points.

Luther Page (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Alabama State) had 16 points and eight boards. Tevin Foster (Lawton, Okla. / Abilene Christian) had a dozen points to go along with his four assists. Deon Lyle (Hastings, Neb. / UTSA) and Dwayne Lathan (Ruston, La. / Indiana State) each had nine points. 

Potawatomi jumped out to a 9-0 lead to start and never trailed on the night. The Fire led 34-15 after one quarter, 63-48 at the half and 91-69 after three quarters on their way to another single game high for scoring with 133 points. The Fire dominated the boards (70-41) and the assists category (24-8). The Fire outshot the Imperials overall (53% to 37%) and had a much better night at the free throw line, going 17 of 24 for 70%.

Former Oklahoma City Thunder player Deonte Burton had 48 points to lead Sugar Land, who played with only seven players due to roster turnover and other issues.

This win for the Fire moves them into first place by a half game at 11-3. Enid is 10-3 and plays Little Rock on Sunday afternoon. Shreveport and Dallas are also near the top of the standings at 10-3. The next home game for the Fire is Friday night April 29 versus Little Rock, the third of five straight at home. It’s also Corona Night at the Fire with special jerseys and other promotions. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.

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The Potawatomi Fire are the first professional basketball team owned by a Native American tribe (Citizen Potawatomi Nation) in Oklahoma. The Fire compete in the Central Conference of The Basketball League (TBL), a new men’s professional basketball league with 44 teams in over 20 different states across the country. The TBL season began in March and runs through June, concluding with a championship tournament. The players that make up the rosters of the TBL teams are former NCAA (Division I to III) or NAIA athletes. Many have played in the NBA or NBA’s G-League as well as professionally overseas for several years and are continuing their careers closer to home.

Box Score

Story by Justin Wollard • More photos coming later