SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Interstat) — The Sioux Falls Skyforce avenged a narrow overtime loss from earlier in the week with a dominant offensive display, defeating the Maine Celtics 134-112 in a G League matchup Friday night at the Sanford Pentagon.

The game was effectively decided in a blistering first quarter, as the Skyforce built a lead the Celtics could never seriously challenge. Sioux Falls erupted for 45 points in the opening period, shooting with high efficiency and capitalizing on early Maine turnovers to establish a double-digit advantage. The Celtics, despite scoring a respectable 35 points themselves, found themselves trailing by 10 after one quarter.

The Skyforce extended their lead to 81-62 by halftime, maintaining a relentless offensive pace with 36 second-quarter points. Maine’s defense had no answer for the inside-outside attack of Sioux Falls, which consistently generated high-percentage shots.

Sioux Falls center Dain Dainja of Chicago set the tone early, scoring repeatedly in the paint and finishing through contact. His physical presence inside forced Maine into foul trouble and created openings for his teammates on the perimeter. The Skyforce ball movement was sharp, particularly with Dennis Smith directing the offense, leading to a balanced scoring effort.

Maine, which had edged Sioux Falls 117-116 in overtime just two days prior, never mounted a sustained comeback. The Celtics were led by the backcourt duo of Max Shulga and Hayden Gray, who combined for consistent scoring, but the team could not string together enough defensive stops to cut meaningfully into the deficit. Each time Maine showed a flicker of momentum, the Skyforce responded with a run of their own, often punctuated by 3-pointers from Gabe Madsen of Rochester, Minnesota, or transition baskets from Josh Christopher.

The Skyforce lead ballooned to as many as 25 points in the second half, allowing them to cruise to the victory. The Celtics won the season series, however, having taken two of the three meetings between the teams this season.

With the win, Sioux Falls improved its season record to 19 wins and 15 losses. Maine fell to 20-14. Both teams are in the middle of a tight playoff race in the G League’s Eastern Conference.

The most important part of the game was the first-quarter onslaught by the Skyforce. By scoring 45 points and establishing an immediate 10-point lead, they seized complete control of the game’s tempo and forced the Celtics into a chasing posture for the remaining three quarters. That explosive start, fueled by Dainja’s interior dominance and efficient team shooting, demoralized Maine and provided Sioux Falls with a cushion that proved insurmountable.