G League Delaware Blue Coats

Blue Coats Stop Drive in First 76ers Fieldhouse Win

Published on January 29, 2019 under NBA G League (G League)
Delaware Blue Coats News Release


WILMINGTON - The Delaware Blue Coats (11-17), the NBA G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers, defeated the Grand Rapids Drive (13-17), 108-100, on Tuesday night for the team's first win at the all-new 76ers Fieldhouse.

76ers two-way contract player Shake Milton, who scored the first basket in 76ers Fieldhouse history this past Wednesday, poured in a game-high 27 points (9-19 fg, 4-5 3fg, 5-6 ft) in 33 minutes. Fellow two-way contract player Haywood Highsmith tallied 14 points (5-11 fg, 1-3 3fg, 3-4 ft) and six rebounds in 32 minutes, while D.J. Hogg played 31 minutes and also added 14 points (5-13 fg, 4-8 3fg).

Denver Nuggets assignment player Jarred Vanderbilt (11 points and 12 rebounds in 18 minutes) and Ryan Anderson (10 points, 10 rebounds) each added a double-double off the bench for the Blue Coats.

The Blue Coats led 50-47 at halftime. Cameron Oliver left the game with a lower-leg injury early in the third quarter.

Keenan Evans, acquired from the Drive in a trade last Tuesday, started his second consecutive game and dished out a Blue Coats-high six assists to go along with eight points in 32 minutes against his former team.

"Keenan [Evans] helped us," said head coach Connor Johnson. "He is a good example, like Rashad [Vaughn], of our program's ability to get somebody in the middle of the season who can come in and impact our team and impact our development culture. I just think that's a huge credit to Matt Lilly, our General Manager, for making moves within the year that help our team both from an on-court perspective and with development."

"Playing with good players helps our guys improve within their future roles," added Johnson. "And playing with other players who want to get better drives the culture of development that we are building. We are lucky to have Matt at the helm who completely understands this."

Detroit Pistons two-way contract player Isaiah Whitehead paced the Drive with 22 points (8-24 fg, 2-8 3fg, 4-4 ft) in 30 minutes of action. Johnny Hamilton posted a double-double as a reserve for Grand Rapids with 20 points (9-14 fg, 2-2 ft) and 12 rebounds in 22 minutes. Speedy Smith collected 18 points (6-13 fg, 3-5 3fg, 3-3 ft), five rebounds and nine assists in 37 minutes.

The Blue Coats return to 76ers Fieldhouse on Wednesday night for the second game of a back-to-back when the team hosts the Windy City Bulls at 7:00 p.m.

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