By: Jason Shebilske | RotoWire

Raptors Uprising GC’s season-opening skid continued Saturday as Hornets Venom GT put together a well-rounded performance to secure a pair of comfortable victories.

Hornets Venom GT opened Game 1 by scoring six unanswered points in the first 1:17 of the first quarter behind a strong performance on the boards that allowed the team to record significantly more field-goal attempts. Each Hornet starter in the first quarter, and the team held a 21-15 lead at the end of the frame. Even though the Hornets went on a small run early in the second quarter, the Raptors kept pace with their opponent by shooting 63.6 percent from the floor during the frame. However, Hornets Venom GT had three starters with double figures at the end of the first half and led 38-32 at halftime.

The Hornets solidified their advantage early in the second half with on a 7-2 run in the first two minutes of the third quarter, and the Raptors’ offense couldn’t keep. Heading into the fourth quarter Hornets Venom GT had a 54-43 lead. The Hornets shot 9-for-14 in the final quarter and continued their dominance on the boards, which prevented the Raptors from posing a meaningful challenge. Hornets Venom GT ultimately picked up a 74-56 win in Game 1. Sherm (19 points, 13 assists) and PeteBeBallin (16 points, 12 rebounds) each posted double-doubles for the Hornets, while rigby led the team on the scoreboard with 24 points. Kenny Got Work had 17 points for the Raptors in the first half, but he was held to just two points in the second half. However, his 19 points still led the team, while ReeceMode (16 points, nine assists) and Type (16 points, five rebounds) were also top performers for Raptors Uprising GC.

Raptors Uprising GC managed to keep Game 1 somewhat competitive in the first half, but that wasn’t the case to begin the second game. Hornets Venom GT opened the contest with 11 unanswered points across the first two minutes, and the team remained highly efficient throughout the frame by shooting 10-for-12 from the floor to take a 25-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Hornets kept their foot on the gas to begin the second quarter by putting together a 10-2 run in the first 1:52 of the frame. The game had the makings of a blowout at halftime, as the Hornets carried a 47-19 lead heading into the second half.

The Raptors began the second half on a 5-0 run, but the Hornets quickly responded with five unanswered points of their own. Raptors Uprising GC kept pace on the scoreboard throughout the third frame by shooting 80 percent from the floor during the quarter, but the Hornets still had a sizable 66-38 lead at the end of the third. The teams continued to run up the score in the fourth quarter as each squad posted at least 20 points in the frame, but Hornets Venom GT secured the two-game sweep with a 90-58 win in Game 2. Sherm nearly put up a double-double for the Hornets with 23 points and nine assists, while rigby (27 points, four assists), Crown (22 points, eight rebounds) and PeteBeBallin (eight points, 14 rebounds, four assists) also had dominant showings. The Raptors had four players score in double figures, led by ReeceMode (12 points, nine assists), Kenny Got Work (16 points, five assists) and Type (15 points, seven rebounds), but Hornets Venom GT had a significantly higher shot volume in the blowout win.

Hornets Venom GT (5-1) matches up against Mavs Gaming on Wednesday, while Raptors Uprising GC (0-6) will attempt to enter the win column against Celtics Crossover Gaming on Friday.