66ers Come Up Short 106-99 to Skyforce in Game 2
SIOUX FALLS, S.D., April 9, 2010 – Deron Washington came off the bench to record a team-high 21 points as the Tulsa 66ers came up short to the Sioux Falls Skyforce 106-99 in Game 2 of their first round series in the 2010 Development League Playoffs. Oklahoma City Thunder assignees Kyle Weaver, Mustafa Shakur and Byron Mullens each finished in double-figures, as Weaver put in 20 points, Shakur added 18, and Mullens had a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds. Larry Owens added 12 points for Tulsa.
The 66ers pushed to an early lead, as Weaver buried a three-pointer with 8:55 to go in the first quarter that put Tulsa ahead 11-6. The Skyforce battled back with an 11-2 run, capped by a Greg Stiemsma three-point play with 5:02 remaining that gave them a 17-13 edge. The Skyforce utilized a 5-0 run late in the quarter, capped by a three-point play from Kirk Penney with 2:14 left, and took a 26-22 lead into the break. Stiemsma scored 15 points in the period, as the Skyforce shot 9-of-21 from the field. The 66ers shot 9-for-25 from the field, and out rebounded Sioux Falls 14-12 in the quarter.
In the second quarter, the 66ers battled back to take the lead at 33-30 after a Shakur steal and fast-break dunk with 7:58 remaining. But Sioux Falls roared back with a 15-1 run that pushed their lead to 45-34 after a Jared Newson dunk. A Leemire Goldwire three-pointer with 23 seconds left in the first half gave the Skyforce a 53-40 advantage going into halftime.
A David Bailey three-pointer early in the third quarter gave the Skyforce their largest lead of the contest, a 65-47 edge with 7:47 left. The 66ers outscored Sioux Falls 24-12, as they rallied behind Washington’s 11 points in the period to get within 77-71 at the break. Bailey had 13 points in the quarter, as the Skyforce hit 10-of-20 from the field, while the 66ers connected on 11-of-19 field goals in the period.
Two straight Goldwire three-pointers capped a 13-3 run for the Skyforce to start the fourth quarter, and led 90-74 with 8:36 to go in the game. But the 66ers would not go away, going on a 20-8 run, capped by a Shakur three-point play to get Tulsa within four at 98-94 with 1:33 left in the contest. Sioux Falls connected on 10-of-14 free throws in the final stanza, and 4-of-5 down the stretch to put the game out of reach. Goldwire had 11 points in the quarter, and Stiemsma had four blocks in the final minute, as the Skyforce hit 8-of-16 field goals. Shakur and Larry Owens each scored seven points in the quarter, as the 66ers made 10-of-27 attempts.
The 66ers out rebounded the Skyforce 52-39 for the game.
The Skyforce were led by Stiemsma, who finished with a near triple-double of 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks. Goldwire came off the bench to make 10-of-11 free throws en route to 23 points, while Bailey added 19 points and seven assists. Penney added 12 points.
With the series now tied at one-game apiece, the third and deciding game tips off at 6 p.m. on Sunday at the Sioux Falls Arena.
Updated 04-10-2010
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