The Stockton Kings continue to roll staying undefeated beating the Rip City Remix at the Moda Center in Portland on Sun Jan 5, 2025 (Stockton Kings X image)

By William Espy

The Stockton Kings are on the road for the first time of the regular season. They’re in Portland, OR to face off against the Rip City Remix at the Moda Center, a team they played twice during the Tip-Off Tournament. The Kings came out a 118-111 winner over Rip City.

The two teams kept the game close for most of the first quarter, but as it neared its end, Stockton started to pull ahead. After the first, the Kings led 30-22.

The Kings maintained a double-digit lead for the majority of the second quarter, but with a few minutes remaining the Remix fought back and brought it much closer. By the end of the quarter, the Kings’ lead was down to just four points with a score of 56-52.

The Remix momentarily took the lead late in the third quarter, but Stockton quickly recovered and took it back. They wouldn’t be able to pull away though, as heading into the final frame they had a narrow, two-point lead. It was 89-87 and either team could walk away victorious.

Rip City quickly took the lead in the fourth quarter, and started to pull ahead a bit. The Kings kept fighting though, and did their best to keep it close despite momentum being firmly in the hands of their opposition. Eventually that effort would pay off, as Stockton would regain the lead late in the fourth quarter, and it would ultimately be enough for them to walk away with the win, 118-111.

The majority of the Kings’ offense came from two players, Mason Jones and Skal Labissiere. Jones finished with 34 points, while Labissiere had 31 of his own. The only other player in double-digits for Stockton was Terry Taylor with 17.

Meanwhile, Rip City was led by Bryce McGowens who has been phenomenal for them so far this season. He finished with 28 points. Henri Drell finished second in team scoring with 18, but was very efficient shooting 7-11 from the field.

The two teams will face off once again on Monday night, as the Remix will look to get back over .500 and the Kings try to remain undefeated in the regular season.