66ers Fall To Thunderbirds On Final Day Of Showcase
January 7, 2010 - NBA G League (G League)
Tulsa 66ers News Release
TULSA, Okla., January 7, 2010 - Oklahoma City Thunder assignee D.J. White had his fourth straight double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds, but the Tulsa 66ers fell to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds 101-97 Thursday at the NBA Development League Showcase in Boise, Idaho. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Tulsa.
"I'm really proud of our guys for their effort, Albuquerque just made some plays down the stretch," 66ers Head Coach Nate Tibbetts said.
The game was a back-and-forth affair throughout, with 11 lead changes and 13 ties. Carlos Powell scored 13 points in the first quarter for the Thunderbirds, and even though they shot 9-for-24 compared to 10-of-19 for Tulsa, Albuquerque managed a 25-23 lead heading into the second quarter.
Deron Washington scored seven points in the second quarter for the 66ers, as the 66ers continued their good shooting, finishing the first half at 51.3 percent (20-39) from the floor. The Thunderbirds grabbed a six-point lead at 33-27 after an Antoine Agudio three-pointer with 9:14 remaining in the half. The 66ers battled back to tie the game three times during the rest of the quarter, but could gain the lead, and headed into halftime down 46-48.
A 7-0 Tulsa run at the beginning of the third quarter gave the 66ers a 57-51 lead after Moses Ehambe hit a long jumper from the right wing. The Thunderbirds charged back, led by three players scoring seven third quarter points each, and grabbed a six-point lead of their own after a Kevin Pittsnogle lay-in with 1:39 remaining. Tulsa's White scored six straight points to end the quarter, as the teams were tied at 71 heading into the final quarter.
The Thunderbirds shot 10-for-18 in the fourth quarter, as Shane Edwards scored all 10 of his points in the period. The lead changed hands six times during the fourth quarter.
Tulsa outrebounded Albuquerque 41-38 for the game. Led by White, the 66ers (10-7) finished with six players in double-figure scoring. Mustafa Shakur had 17 points and five assists, while Zabian Dowdell and Washington each finished with 13 points off the bench. Ehambe added 12 points, Larry Owens finished with 10 points, and Latavious Williams grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds.
Powell finished with game-highs of 25 points and seven assists for the Thunderbirds (6-9). Chad Toppert came off the bench to score 18 points, while Agudio added 16. Kurt Looby scored 15 points, Pittsnogle had 12 points and nine boards.
The 66ers return home to face the Austin Toros on Thursday, Jan. 14, and then face the Erie BayHawks in a back-to-back series Jan. 16 and 17.
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