Caleb Houstan's double-double powers Remix past Stars

Caleb Houstan recorded a double-double with 28 points and 10 rebounds as the Rip City Remix defeated the Salt Lake City Stars 108-93 at the Delta Center on Tuesday in a Tip-Off Tournament game.

Houstan shot 8-for-18 from 3-point range to lead the offensive charge for Rip City (1-0). The Remix also received a double-double from Mark Sears, who finished with 20 points and a game-high 10 assists, and a strong contribution from John Tonje, who scored 22 points against his former team. Jaylen Martin added 12 points off the bench as Rip City shot an efficient 17-for-43 (39.5%) from beyond the arc.

In his first start with the Stars, Kobe Bufkin led Salt Lake City with 25 points and had five rebounds and four assists. Jonas Aidoo was a force inside, posting 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting to go with nine rebounds and four blocks. Harrison Ingram nearly had a triple-double, contributing 12 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Stars (0-2), who struggled from deep, making just three of 30 3-point attempts, with Bufkin going 3-for-10.

Rip City took control early, using a 12-0 run in the first quarter to build a lead that grew to as many as 18 points. Houstan was scorching hot from the start, hitting two early 3-pointers to give the Remix an 8-4 advantage. Salt Lake City battled back, closing the second quarter on a run capped by a Bufkin free throw with one second left to cut the halftime deficit to 53-48. However, the Remix reestablished control in the second half. A Martin 3-pointer with 1:36 remaining in the game extended the lead to 105-93, putting the contest out of reach.

Up next: The Stars host the Remix again Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. ET in their next Tip-Off Tournament game, this time at Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah.

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