Skyhawks Soar Past Raptors 905 in Sold-Out Home Opener

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — The College Park Skyhawks gave their fans plenty to cheer about Friday night, opening the 2026-27 NBA G League season with a 128-117 victory over Raptors 905 in front of a sold-out crowd at Gateway Center Arena.

It wasn’t the prettiest start for College Park, but when it mattered most, the Skyhawks found another gear, turning a back-and-forth battle into an impressive Opening Night victory.

Leading the charge was fifth-year guard Keon Johnson, who delivered a record-breaking performance with 38 points, five rebounds and four assists in 36 minutes.

Johnson’s 38-point outing established a new Skyhawks franchise record for most points scored in a season opener while also marking a career-high in Tip-Off Tournament play.

And he wasn’t the only Skyhawk making history.

Devin Higgs put together an outstanding performance of his own, finishing with a career-high 28 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a career-best six steals. Higgs was nearly perfect offensively, connecting on nine of his 10 field goal attempts in 35 minutes.

His performance also placed him in exclusive company, becoming just the fourth player in Skyhawks franchise history to record at least 25 points, five rebounds and five steals in a single game, joining Kobe Johnson, Charlie Brown Jr. and Jordan Sibert.

Atlanta Hawks two-way guard RayJ Dennis added 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Kobe Johnson contributed 16 points and 13 rebounds. Both players recorded their first double-doubles of the season, giving College Park a balanced effort on both ends of the floor.

However, the Skyhawks had to work their way back into this one.

Raptors 905 came out firing, building an 18-6 advantage through the opening seven minutes. Tyreke Key set the tone early, scoring 12 first-quarter points as the visitors carried a 35-25 lead into the second period.

But the Skyhawks weren’t about to let their home opener get away from them.

College Park opened the second quarter with a 10-2 run, quickly cutting into the deficit and shifting the momentum inside Gateway Center Arena.

Keon Johnson began finding his offensive rhythm, pouring in 12 points during the period as the Skyhawks continued chipping away at the Raptors’ lead.

Then came a big moment just before halftime.

RayJ Dennis knocked down a three-pointer late in the second quarter, giving College Park a 67-66 advantage heading into the locker room.

After trailing by as many as 12 points early, the Skyhawks had officially turned the game around.

The third quarter brought even more drama.

Neither team could establish much separation as the lead changed hands seven times. Raptors 905 managed to outscore College Park 32-30 in the period, taking a slim 98-97 advantage into the fourth quarter.

With just one point separating the teams, the final 12 minutes would determine who walked away with an Opening Night victory.

And that’s when College Park took control.

The Skyhawks tightened things up defensively, limited Raptors 905 to just 19 fourth-quarter points and continued attacking offensively.

College Park also capitalized on its opportunities at the free-throw line, converting seven of eight attempts in the final period.

Behind a 31-19 fourth-quarter advantage, the Skyhawks pulled away to secure the 128-117 victory and start the season undefeated.

For Raptors 905, Tyreke Key led the way with 28 points, five rebounds and two assists in 35 minutes. Tyson Degenhart and AJ Hoggard added 15 points apiece, combining for eight assists.

While the final score reflected an 11-point victory, the game was much closer than that for most of the night.

College Park trailed by double digits early, battled through seven third-quarter lead changes and entered the final period down one before delivering its strongest closing stretch.

The biggest takeaway from Opening Night wasn’t simply the offensive production. It was the Skyhawks’ ability to respond when the game wasn’t going their way.

Keon Johnson’s record-setting performance provided the spark, Higgs delivered on both ends of the court, and Dennis and Kobe Johnson controlled the glass with their double-double efforts.

For a team looking to establish its identity early in the season, Friday night’s performance was an encouraging first step.

The Skyhawks improve to 1-0 while Raptors 905 falls to 0-1.

Up Next: College Park returns to Gateway Center Arena on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. for a rematch against Raptors 905 as the team hosts its first Kids Day of the season.

The Skyhawks will then welcome the Long Island Nets on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m., continuing their three-game opening homestand.

One game down, one victory in the books, and if Opening Night was any indication, Skyhawks basketball could be bringing plenty of excitement to College Park this season.